The Battle of Stella Haugh
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Stella Haugh is where the Blaydon Races used to be
A meadow just beside the Tyne that's steeped in history
In August, sixteen forty quite a battle took place there
Between the English and the Scots and all because of prayer
For Charles believed divine the right of kings, his word was law
His pious views he tried to force on Scotland risking war
As many Scots resented interference in their ways
And so they took up arms to try to end those troubled days
A powerful army was amassed of Scotland's brave and bold
They headed south towards the Tyne then set up their stronghold
Initially they tried to lodge petitions for their cause
But these were shunned then followed on a most uneasy pause
The king on hearing of this raid the gentry's help he sought
His northern friends took up the call and fighting men were brought
To Stella on the southern bank just over from the foe
And then there was a stand off, no one yet would strike a blow
A Scotsman then decided that his horse must take a drink
A deadly English shot rang out, a rash impulse they think
It brought immediate Scots response, their cannon firing then
The English, though they had dug in, lost many of their men
As Scots charged forward by a ford the English did withdraw
To higher ground above the haugh then stand and fight once more
But no avail, the Scots advanced and now in disarray
The royalists retreated south, to Durham, then away
The battle won but not the war this matter then dragged on
King Charles was so intransigent that many wished him gone
And Cromwell, tough Old Ironsides, was waiting in the wings
A man who held in much contempt the divine right of kings