British Versions- 9. Fair Flower of Northumberland; Roud No. 25; ("The Maiden's Song," "The Ungrateful Knight and the Fair Flower of Northumberland," "The Heiress of Northumberland," "The Provost's Dochter," "The Betrayed Lady,")
A a. "Fair Flower of Northumberland" from Deloney's 'Jack of Newbury' dated 1596, reprint of 1859, p. 61.
b. "The Ungrateful Knight and the Fair Flower of Northumberland," Ritson's Ancient Songs, 208. 1790, p. 169.
c. "The Fair Flower of Northumberland" from "The Borderer's Table Book: Or, Gatherings of the Local history and romance of the English and Scottish Border" Volume 6 by Moses Aaron Richardson, 1846.
d. "The Flower of Northumberland" from "The Minstrelsy of the English Border" by Frederick Sheldon, 1847.
e. "The Fair Flower of Northumberland." No informant named, Child A text from Bruce & Stokoe, "Northumbrian Minstrelsy," 1882. Also published in Newcastle Courant, c. 1880.
B a. "The Provost's Dochter," Kinloch Manuscripts, v, 49, pre-1827 from J. Beattie of [Edinburgh].
b. "The Provost's Dochter," Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 131, 1827 from Miss E. Beattie of Edinburgh.
C a. "The Betrayed Lady." Buchan's Manuscripts, II, 166, pre-1828.
b. "The Betrayed Lady." Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 208, 1828.
D. ["Flower o Northumberland"] fragment from Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 102 sung by Mrs. Nicol, of Paisley. It's from a copy sent by Motherwell to C. K. Sharpe with a letter, October 8, 1825, Child version D.
E. "The Flower of Northumberland," Mr. Robert White's papers. Collected by Mr. James Telfer from a shepherd, Robert Hutton, Peel, Liddesdale, who wrote it down from memory, c. 1824.
F. "The Fair Flower of Northumberland," Gibb Manuscript, No 8, from Jeannie Stirling, a young girl, as learned from her grandmother. Collected by James Gibb of Joppa, no date, but by 1863.
G. "The Heiress of Northumberland," from C.K. Sharpe's first collection, p. 7, dated 1823.
H. The Flooer o Northumberland- sung by John Rogie of Mains o' Glencarvie, Strahdon, Aberdeenshire, c.1871. Learned over 50 years ago from Rob Farquharson of Corgarff. Collected in 1931 by Carpenter. From James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/2/2/E, pp. 04847-04848.
I. “The Flower o Northumberland." This air was noted from singing in Buchan by W. Christie, "Traditional ballad airs. Arranged and harmonized for the pianoforte and harmonium, from copies procured in the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray," 1880. The text was probably adapted from "The Betrayed Lady."
J. "Fair Flooer o Northumberland," sung by Mrs. A. Lyall of Skene, Dunecht, Aberdeenshire, c.1880. Learned about 50 years ago from her mother, Mrs. Ella Roy. Her mother lived in Lyne of Skene and learned ballads from her father and grandfather. Collected by Carpenter in 1930. From the James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/2/2/E, pp. 04842-04843.
K. "The Fair Flower o Northumberland," sung by Mrs Jessie Davidson, Willow Cottage, Tugnet, Speybay, Morayshire in 1908 by Duncan and again in 1931 see James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/11/15.
L. "Flower of Northumberland," sung by Annie Shirer of Kininmonth, Aberdeenshire, published about 1910 in Greig's article in Folk-songs of the North-East; collected by Grieg about 1908 (see also: Last Leaves; James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/2/2/E, pp. 04849-04850).
M. "The Fair Flower of Northumberland," sung by Mrs. Cruickshank of Aberdeenshire, c. 1908 from The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection Patrick Shuldham-Shaw, Emily B. Lyle, 1981.
N. "Maid's Love Whiles is Easy Won (The Fair Flooer o Northumberland)," sung by Bell Duncan of Lambhill, Insch about 1931; from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/10/115, Cylinder 114.
O. "The Flooer o Northumberland," sung by Mrs. Jesse Campbell of Hassie Wells, Rothienorman about 1931; from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/2/2/E, pp. 04845-04846.
P. "There Once Was a Scottish Knight," sung by Margaret Eyre by 1958. From "Four Songs Remembered by Miss Margaret Eyre" by Francis Collinson in the Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, Vol. 9, No. 3 (Dec., 1962), pp. 155-158.
Q. "Flooer o Northumberland," sung by Lizzy Higgins(1929-1993) of Aberdeenshire in August, 1986. Recorded by John D. Niles. From School of Scottish Studies, recording SA1986.110.
R. "The Flooer o Northumberland," sung by Maureen Jelks of Dundee, County Angus in September, 1986. Recorded at a Kirriemuir Folk Festival competition by Dr Margaret Bennett. From: Collection - School of Scottish Studies; original Tape ID - SA1986.084.
[The oldest extant version (Child Aa), "The Maiden's Song," printed by novelist and balladist Thomas Deloney (c.1543–1600) of London, has been dated 1596 by Halliwell who says, "Deloney's novel of Jack Newbury was licensed to T. Myllington on March 7th, 1596, and it was undoubtedly published soon after that period, but no copy of so early a date is now known to exist." The earliest extant edition of its source-book, "Pleasant History of John Winchcomb," is 1619 and is available on-line at Google Books. The full title and text appear:
The Pleasant History of John Winchcomb, In his younger yeares called Jacke of Newberie, the famous and worthy Clothier of England: declaring his life and love, together with his charitable deeds and great hospitality; And how hee set continually five hundred poore people at worke, to the great benefit of the Commonwealth; worthy to be read and regarded.
1 It was a knight in Scotland borne
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Was taken prisoner, and left forlorne,
Even by the good Earle of Northumberland.
2 Then was he cast in prison strong,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Where he could not walke nor lie along,
Even by the goode Earle of Northumberland.
3 And as in sorrow thus he lay,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
The Earle's sweete daughter walkt that way,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
4 And passing by, like an angell bright,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
The prisoner had of her a sight,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
5 And loud to her this knight did crie,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
The salt teares standing in his eye,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
6 'Faire lady,' he said, 'Take pity on me,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And let me not in prison dye,
And you the faire flower of Northumberland.'
7 'Faire Sir, how should I take pity on thee,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Thou being a foe to our countrey,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
8 'Faire lady, I am no foe,' he said,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
'Through thy sweet love heere was I stayd,
For thee, the faire flower of Northumberland.'
9 'Why shouldst thou come heere for love of me,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Having wife and children in thy countrie?
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
10 'I sweare by the blessed Trinitie,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
I have no wife nor children, I,
Nor dwelling at home in merrie Scotland.
11 'If curteously you will set me free,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
I vow that I will marrie thee,
So soone as I come in faire Scotland.
12 'Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And sit like a queene in princely bowers,
When I am at home in faire Scotland.'
13 Then parted hence this lady gay,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And got her father's ring away,
To helpe this sad knight into faire Scotland.
14 Likewise much gold she got by sleight,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And all to help this forlorne knight
To wend from her father to faire Scotland.
15 Two gallant steedes, both good and able,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
She likewise tooke out of the stable,
To ride with this knight into faire Scotland.
16 And to the jaylor she sent this ring,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
The knight from prison forth to bring,
To wend with her into faire Scotland.
17 This token set the prisoner free,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Who straight went to this faire lady,
To wend with her into faire Scotland.
18 A gallant steede he did bestride,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And with the lady away did ride,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
19 They rode till they came to a water cleare:
Follow, my love, come over the strand
'Good Sir, how should I follow you heere,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland?
20 'The water is rough and wonderfull deepe,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
An[d] on my saddle I shall not keepe,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
21 'Feare not the foord, faire lady,' quoth he,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
'For long I cannot stay for thee,
And thou the faire flower of Northumberland.'
22 The lady prickt her wanton steed,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And over the river swom with speede,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
23 From top to toe all wet was shee:
Follow, my love, come over the strand
'This have I done for love of thee,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
24 Thus rode she all one winter's night,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Till Edenborow they saw in sight,
The chiefest towne in all Scotland.
25 'Now chuse,' quoth he, 'Thou wanton flower,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Whe'r thou wilt be my paramour,
Or get thee home to Northumberland.
26 'For I have wife, and children five,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
In Edenborow they be alive;
Then get thee home to faire England.
27 'This favour shalt thou have to boote,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Ile have thy horse, go thou on foote,
Go, get thee home to Northumberland.'
28 'O false and faithlesse knight,' quoth shee,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
'And canst thou deale so bad with me,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland?
29 'Dishonour not a ladie's name,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
But draw thy sword and end my shame,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'
30 He tooke her from her stately steed,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And left her there in extreme need,
And she the faire flower of Northumberland.
31 Then sate she downe full heavily;
Follow, my love, come over the strand
At length two knights came riding by,
Two gallant knights of faire England.
32 She fell downe humbly on her knee,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Saying, 'Courteous knights, take pittie on me,
And I the faire flower of Northumberland.
33 'I have offended my father deere,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And by a false knight that brought me heere,
From the good Earle of Northumberland.'
34 They tooke her up behind them then,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
And brought her to her father's againe,
And he the good Earle of Northumberland.
35 All you faire maidens be warned by me,
Follow, my love, come over the strand
Scots were never true, nor never will be,
To lord, nor lady, nor faire England.
Deloney's ballad (Child Aa) was reprinted in Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 169 (Child Ab), with minor changes. Ritson's text appeared in The Borderer's Table Book, VI, 25, and subsequently in Sheldon's Minstrelsy of the English Border, 1847. Sheldon added a verse where the false Scottish knight receives punishment for his betrayal of the Flower of Northumberland but in Deloney's ballad and subsequent tradition-- no punishment is forthcoming. Deloney's version and the Ritson reprint represent the "English" form. Only one traditional corrupt fragment, from Margaret Eyre of Gloucester, has been found of the "English" form. By the last 1700s or early 1800s the text was revised and had entered Scottish tradition where it was considerably shortened and other changes were made. This is the Scottish form which are the ballads of Child B-G and subsequent Scottish versions. Both the English and Scottish forms feature two refrains-- the 2nd and 4th lines of each stanza. The 2nd line is varied slightly depending on the dialogue while the 4th or last line changes and is especially varied in the Scottish form. A number of Scottish variants have been collected since Child's ESPB. Here's the text for one of the older Scottish versions not given by Child which dates back to the early 1800s:
Maid's Love Whiles is Easy Won (The Fair Flooer o Northumberland)- sung by Bell Duncan of Lambhill, Insch about 1931.
1. The Bailie's[1] dachter's gane doon the toon,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
To hear the prisoner makin' his moan;
He says, "I'm a free lord frae fair Scotland."
2. "Gin some fair maid wid borrow me,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
A son or a husband I wid be,
For I'm a free lord frae fair Scotland."
3. She's deen her till her father's ha',
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
An' stowen the keys tee the prison wa',
To lat him win free tee fair Scotland.
4. She's deen her till her mither's gowd,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
An' she's teen oot a beerly howd[2],
To carry them baith tee fair Scotland.
5. She's deen her till her father's stable,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
An' she's teen oot a guid steed an' an able,
To carry them baith tee fair Scotland.
6. Bet they hadna ridden ower monny a moss,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
Till he bade her loop aff o' her father's best horse,
An' she micht gae back tee Northumberland.
7. For, see nae ye yon castle?" said he
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
"There I hae a wife an' bairnies three,
An' I'm nae a free lord is fair Scotland."
8. "It's a cook in your kitchie I wid be,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
"Bet I canna afford sic a cook as thee,
Sae gae get ye back tee Northumberland."
9. He nae bein' willin' ti dee her nae wrong,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
He boct an ald horse, an' hired an ald man.
An' he sent her back tee Northumberland.
10. Ben cam her father, bein' sae bold,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
Says, "Ye been a Scottish heiress, scarce sixteen years old,
How dare ye come back tee Northumberland."
11. Ben cam her mither, bein' sae mild,
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
She's nae the first that the Scots has beguiled."
Says, "Welcome back tee Northumberland."
12. "She sanna[3] want gowd, she sanna want gear[4],
Maid's love whiles is easy won,
An' gowd an' siller will get her anither,
An' she's aye the fair Flooer o' Northumberland.
This version likely dates back to the early 1800s through Bell's mother Jasne Hutcheon (b. 1807 in Aberdeenshire). The ballad story can be compared to that of Lord Bateman. Here's the Scottish revision ballad story: A Scottish knight has been imprisoned in Northumberland. He persuades the jailor's (bailiff's; provost's) daughter, the flower of Northumberland, that if she frees him he will marry her when they return to Scotland. She helps him escape and after they reach Scotland he orders her off her horse, tells her he has a wife and three children and she must return to Northumberland. She offers to work as a cook in his kitchen for she would rather die than suffer the disgrace of returning home. He says, "No," and hires an old man with an old horse to take her back to Northumberland. When she goes home her father asks how she dares to return while her mother says that "She's nae the first that the Scots has beguiled" and welcomes her back. In the last stanza the mother assures her daughter that she not have to worry about gold or possessions for she will have another husband.
Scottish versions of the ballad remained in circulation in the late 1800s and 1900s and four versions were collected by Grieg in early 1900s and six by Carpenter in the 1930s. Two versions were recorded by the School of Scottish Studies as late as the mid-1980s using text similar to that of Greig's informant, Annie Shirer.
Despite being reprinted, the ballad never was never popular in England and was not taken up by the print trade. It remained in circulation only in isolated areas of Scotland and was not brought to America[5], although Niles has reported it.
* * * *
The Fair Flower of Northumberland is derived from "The Maiden's Song," a ballad of unknown origin that was published in a book about John Winchcomb (Jack Newbury) by writer Thomas Deloney (c.1543–1600) of London. A Scottish revision of the English ballad entered tradition where it has had some circulation in Scotland since the early 1800s.
R. Matteson 2018]
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Footnotes:
1. bailiff's
2. Also "bierly howd," my interpretation is "bridely sum." The MS has "big lump" which is not a literal translation.
3. sanna= shall not
4. gear= possessions
5. Although no versions have been recovered in America, John Jacob Niles has reported three. Niles recreations have proven to be, for the most part, his own personal adaptations from print sources which he has unfortunately assigned to alleged informants.
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CONTENTS: (individual versions may be accessed by clicking on the title attached to this page on left-hand column or on the blue highlighted titles below)
1) The Maiden's Song- (Lon) 1596 Thomas Deloney Child Aa
2) Ungrateful Knight- (Lon) 1790 Ritson, Child Ab
3) Heiress of Northumberland- (Edin) c1823 C.K. Sharpe; Child G
4) Flower of Northumberland- R. Hutton (Rox) c.1824; Child E
5) Flower o Northumberland- Mrs. Nicol (Renf) 1825; Child D
6) Provost's Dochter- J. Beattie (Edin) 1827 Kinloch; Child B
7) Betrayed Lady- (N. Scot) 1828 Peter Buchan MS; Child C
8) Fair Flower o Northumberland- Stirling (Edin) 1863; Child F
9) Flooer o Northumberland- John Rogie (Aber) c1871 Carpenter
10) Flower o’ Northumberland- (Aber) pre1880 Christie
11) Fair Flooer o Northumberland- Mrs Lyle (Aber) 1880 Carpenter
12) Fair Flower of Northumberland- (Nor) 1882 Stokoe
13) Fair Flower o Northumberland- Davidson (Aber) 1908 Greig A, Carpenter
14) Flower o Northumberland- Shirer (Aber) 1908 Grieg B
Flower of Northumberland- Cruickshank (Aber) 1908 Greig D
Maid's Love- Bell Duncan (Aber) 1931 Carpenter
Flooer o Northumberland- J. Campbell (Aber) 1931 Carpenter
Flooer o Northumberland- A.B. Campbell (Aber) 1931 Carpenter
Fair Flooer o Northumberland- Fowlie (Aber) 1931 Carpenter
Scottish Knight- Marg. Eyre (Glou) 1958 Collinson
Flooer o Northumberland- Lizzie Higgins(Aber) 1986
Flooer o Northumberland- Maureen Jelks (Ang) 1986
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Random notes:
The Bagford ballads (The Amanda group of Bagford poems) ed. by J.W. Ebsworth
John Bagford, Joseph Woodfall Ebsworth - 1876 -
The tune to which this is sung, “The Bleeding Heart,” is that belonging to Martin Parker’s “My bleeding heart” (Roxb. Coll., i. 443); same tune as for Sir Andrew Barton, “When Flora with ” (Ibid. i. 2); or “Come follow my Love,” which begins “It was a knight in Scotland borne:” being the Maiden's song to Henry VIII. in Thos. Deloney’s “Jack of Newbury,” 1596-7; 1633.
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This Air was noted from tinging in Buchan, as also the one to the same Ballad given in the appendix. The Ballad appears in different forms; and the fact of its having two Airs sung to it in the same district would indicate its popularity. Buchan gives a copy of the Ballad under the name, "The Betrayed Lady'.' "Ballads of the North'.' Vol. II. p. 208. Motherwell in his "Minstrelsy" (l827) gives an Air N? 2. "The Flower of Northumberland',' different from either of the two given in this work.
Traditional Ballad Airs, Volume 2, Christie
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FLOWER O' NORTHUMBERLAND, THE
Source Sleepytown SLPYCD 010 ('Tae the Green Woods Gaen')
Performer Duncan, Jock
Place collected Scotland : Aberdeenshire : Fyvie
FLOWER OF NORTHUMBERLAND, THE
Source Ord, Bothy Songs & Ballads (1930) p.192
Performer
Place collected Scotland
Collector Ord, John