The Earls of Lincoln and Hereford, accordingly, led the first squadron to the attack. Their progress, however, was retarded by an extensive morass, which covered the front of the Scots, and obliged their enemies to make a circuit to the west. While thus employed, the powerful squadron under the Bishop of Durham managed to get in front of the enemy. Bek, however, on observing the formidable appearance of his opponents, wished to delay the charge till supported by the column under the command of the King. “Stick to thy mass, Bishop,” said Ralf Basset of Drayton, “and teach us not what to do in the face of an enemy.”--“On, then,” said Bek, “Set on, in your own way; we are all soldiers to-day, and bound to do our duty.” Instantly they rushed forward, and soon became engaged with the first schiltron, which was almost simultaneously attacked on the opposite quarter by the first division which had cleared the morass. The cavalry of the Scots, and a large body of the vassals of John Cumyn, immediately wheeled about, and left the field without awaiting the attack. The schiltrons of spearmen, however, stood firm, and repulsed all the efforts of their numerous and heavy-armed assailants, who recoiled again and again from before the mass of spears which their enemies presented. Baffled in their attack, the cavalry of Edward charged upon the archers, who, less able to stand their ground against the weight of their mail-clad adversaries, gave way. In the confusion, Sir John Stewart of Bonkill, brother to the Steward of Scotland, was thrown to the ground, while attempting to rally his vassals, the archers of Selkirk; and though many of them rushed forward to his assistance, their exertions were in vain:--their gallant leader fell, surrounded by the bodies of his faithful tenantry. Though heavy squadrons of cavalry were continually pushed forward against the Scottish spearmen, still the latter maintained their ranks, and displayed such admirable discipline and stubborn resolution, that Edward, convinced of the inability of breaking their array, suspended the charges of his horsemen, and ordered all his archers and slingers to advance.[22] Langtoft thus describes the conduct and appearance of the Scottish infantry. “Ther formast conrey, ther bakkis togidere sette, Ther speres poynt ouer poynt, so sare & o thikke & fast togidere joynt, to se it was ferlike. Als a castelle thei stode, that were walled with stone, Thei wende no man of blode thorgh tham suld haf gone Ther folk was so mykelle, so stalworth & so clene, Ther foyntes forward prikelle, nonhut wild thei wene, That if alle Inglond fro Berwik vnto Kent, The folk therin men fond had bien thider sent, Stength suld non haf had, to perte tham thorgh oute, So wer thei set sad with poyntes rounde aboute.” _Vol. ii. p. 304, 305._