Upon Friday, the ninth of September, the English army marched towards Leith, and the Scottish army marched from Edinburgh to Inveresk. The whole Scottish army was not assembled, and yet skirmishing began; for nothing was expected but victory without a stroke. The Protector, the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Gray, and all the English captains were playing at the dice: no men were stouter than the priests and canons, with their shaven crowns and black jacks. The Earl of Warwick and the Lord Gray, who had the chief charge of the horsemen, perceiving the host to be molested by the Scottish prickers, and that the multitude were neither under order nor obedience (for they were divided from the great army), sent forth certain troops of horsemen, and some of their borderers, either to fight them, or else to put them out of their sight, so that they might not annoy the host. The skirmish grew hot, and at length the Scotsmen gave back, and fled without once turning. The chase continued far, both towards the east and towards the west. Many were slain, and he that now is Lord Home was afterwards surrendered to the Englishmen. The loss of these men neither moved the Governor, nor yet the Archbishop, his bastard brother. They would revenge the matter well enough upon the morrow; for they were hands enough (no word of God): the English heretics had no faces; they would not abide. Upon the Saturday, the armies of both sides arrayed themselves. The English army took the mid part of Falside Hill, having their ordnance planted before them, and their ships and two galleys brought as near the land as the water would allow. The Scottish army stood at first in a reasonably strong position and in good order, having betwixt them and the English army the water of Esk, otherwise called Musselburgh Water. At length, on the Governor's behalf, with sound of trumpet, order was given that all men should march forward, and go over the water. Some say that this was procured by the Abbot of Dunfermline, and Master Hugh Rigg, for preservation of Carberry. Men of judgment did not like the move; for they thought it no wisdom to leave their strong position. But commandment upon commandment, and charge upon charge were given, and, thus urged, they obeyed unwillingly. The Earl of Angus was in the vanguard, and had in his company the gentlemen of Fife, Angus, Mearns, and the Westland, with many others that for love resorted to him and especially those that were professors of the Evangel; for they supposed that England would not make great pursuit of him. He passed first through the water, and arrayed his host directly before the enemies. The Earl of Huntly, and his Northland men followed. Last came the Duke, having in his company the Earl of Argyll, with his own friends, and the body of the realm.