[From Manx Soc vol 16]

"Prepared to buy a ballad, if one apt
To move my fancy offers."

VINCENT BOURNE.

BALLADS AND SONGS.

THE WINNING OF THE ISLE OF MANNE BY THE
NOBLE EARLE OF SALISBURIE.

From Strange Histories, London 1607. Percy Society's Reprint, 1841.
To the Tune of The King's going to the Parliament.

This Ballad refers to Sir William Montague, who obtained a grant of the island in 1333 from Edward III., who in 1337 treated him Earl of Salisbury, and having conquered the island from the Scots, he was crowned King of Man in 1343. He was succeeded in the following year by his son, Sir William Montague, second Earl of Salisbury, of whom a curious photograph. in armour, and of his Countess, will be found in Mr. Kneale's Guide to the Isle of Man (1860). Further accounts of this family are to be met with in the Rev. Mr. Cumming's reprints of Sacheverells and Chaloners Histories, Manx Society (vols. i. and x.)

THE noble Earl of Salisburie,
With many a hardy knight,
Most valiantly prepared himselfe
Against the Scots to fight,
With his speare and. his. sheeld
Making his proud foes to yeeld,
Fiercely on them all he can,
To drive them from the Isle of Man.
Drummes striking on a row, ,
Trumpets sounding as they goe,
Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-tan.

There silken ensignes in the field
Most gloriously were spred:
The horsemen on their prauncing steeds
Strucke many a Scotchman dead.
The browne-bils on their corslets ring,
The bow-men, with their gray-goose wing,
The lustie launce, the pierceing speare
The soft flesh of their foes doe teare.
Drummes striking on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they goe,
Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-tan.

The battell was so fierce and hot,
The Scots for feare' did flie,
And many a famous knight and squire
In gorie blood did lie.
Some. thinking to escape away
Did drowne themselves within the sea;
Some with many a bloody,.wound
Lay gasping on the clayie ground.
Drummes striking on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they goe,
Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-tan.

Thus, after many a brave exployt
That day performed and done,
The noble Earle of Salsburie
The Isle of Man had wonne.
Returning then most gallantly
With honour, fame, and victorie,
Like a conquerour of fame,
To court this warlike champion came.
Drammes striking on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they goe,
Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-tan.

Our king, rejoyceing at this act,
Incontinent decreed
To give the earle this pleasant isle
For his most valiant deed;
And forthwith did cause him than
For to be crowned King of Man:
Earle of famous Salsburie,
And King of Man by dignitie.
Drummes striking on a row,
Trumpets sounding as they goe,
Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-tan.

Thus was the first King of Man
That ever bore the name,
Knight of the princely garter blew,
And order of great fame;
Which brave King Edward did devise,
And with his person royalize:
Knights of the Garter are they cald,
And eke at Winsor so instald:
With princely royaltie,
Great fame and dignitie,
This knighthood still is held.