[238] _John and Rich. Hexham_ 1136. Ranulph was the son and heir of Ranulph le Meschines, who obtained a grant of Cumberland, probably about the time when Rufus restored Carlisle. John of Hexham, under 1150, says, “Remisit indignationem quæ Karleol sub _patrimoniali_ jure reposcere consueverat.” [239] _John and Rich. Hexham_ 1137. _Malm. Hist. Nov._, l. 1, sec. 17. [240] The _Germans_ of Richard of Hexham were probably mercenaries from the Low Countries, whose services were then, and long afterwards, at the disposal of the highest bidder. They were generally known as _Reiters_; and these free companies probably supplied many of the _Flandrenses_ and _Flamingi_ of the Scottish charters. [241] “In curiâ contra patrium morem captus,” are the words of _Ailred_, p. 343. Eustace appears to have been in the actual performance of the services by which he held the fief; and in strict feudal justice he ought not to have been deprived of the fief until he had failed to render such service. [242] The speech which Ailred has attributed to Walter Espec is valuable on account of many historical allusions which it contains; but it is not to be supposed that on such an occasion the speaker would stop to weigh his words, especially as it was his object to raise the courage of his own men by depreciating the Scots. Strict historical accuracy is hardly to be expected at such a time, even if we are to regard such speeches as real, and not the composition of the chronicler himself. [243] The continuator of Florence of Worcester relates this fact. [244] _Lavernani._ The district known as the Lennox, or _Levenach_, was called so from the river Leven, and from the lake which was originally named _Loch Leven_, and afterwards (from its principal mountain) _Loch Lomond_. _Lavernani_ is evidently a clerical error for _Levenani_; as _Linenath_ in the Fœdera is a mistake for _Levenach_. [245] The meeting between the king and the two barons took place immediately before the battle, according to Ailred. John of Hexham writes that they met on the Tees, which David crossed a few hours before the commencement of the engagement. [246] Such appears to be the meaning of Ailred’s description of the English position. The monkish chroniclers are seldom very clear in their accounts of battles. The species of standard used in this battle was well known in the Italian wars.