main body in confusion, which they communicated both to the leaders and the soldiers. It is said, that Sadler shared with Warwick the honour of rallying the disordered forces of England, under the fire of their cannon and the protection of their infantry. The Scots, with their usual impetuosity, had in the meanwhile broke their own impenetrable phalanx, in pursuit, as they conceived, of a flying enemy. They were, therefore, totally unprepared to resist a second charge from those whom they had regarded as discomfited, and, giving way on all sides, were defeated with a most dreadful slaughter, the chase being followed by the victors till near to Edinburgh. Excepting the field of Flodden, that of Pinkie is perhaps the most fatal in the Scottish annals.

In this great battle, Sir Ralph Sadler distinguished himself both for his conduct and gallantry, in so much, that he was raised to the degree of Knight Banneret on the field of battle. The particular services which procured him this honourable distinction, appear to have been, the activity which he displayed in rallying the English cavalry, when repulsed, as already mentioned, at the beginning of the conflict, and, according to tradi

"In the battle of Muscleborow, he ordered to be brought up our scattered troops, next degree to a rout, inviting them to fight by his own example."-FULLER'S Worthies, p. 183.

tion, his seizing, with his own hand, the royal standard of Scotland. A tall standard pole, plated with iron as high as a horseman's sword could reach, long remained beside his tomb. It was believed to have been the staff from which the Scottish banner was displayed, and was appealed to for the truth of the tradition.*

The rank to which Sir Ralph Sadler was thus raised, from the degree of Knight Bachelor, may be called the very pinnacle of chivalry. Knight Bannerets could only be created by the King himself, or, which was very rare, by a general vested with such powers as to represent the royal person. They were dubbed before or after a battle, in which the royal standard was displayed; and the person so to be honoured being brought before the King, led by two distinguished knights or nobles, presented to the sovereign his pennon, having an indenture like a swallow's tail at the extremity.† The King

*I do not find that Patten, the minute historian of Somerset's expedition, mentions this exploit of Sir Ralph Sadler, nor indeed the capture of the royal standard of Scotland. Neither does he commemorate his being created Knight Banneret; of which, however, there can be no doubt, as it is mentioned in King Edward's own Journal.

The shape of the banner originally determined the number of followers, whom the leader commanded; and a banneret was expected to lead into the field ten vassals, each properly attended.

then cut off the forked extremity, rendering the banner square, in shape similar to that of a baron,

The most lively description of the creation of a banneret occurs in Froissart's Account of the Battle of Najara, fought by the Black Prince against Henry of Castile. "When the sun was rising, it was a beautiful sight to view these battalions, with their brilliant armour glittering with its beams. In this manner, they nearly approached to each other. The prince, with a few attendants, mounted a small hill, and saw very clearly the enemy marching straight towards them. Upon descending this hill, he extended his line of battle in the plain, and then halted.

"The Spaniards seeing the English had halted, did the same, in order of battle: then each man tightened his armour, and made ready as for instant combat.

"Sir John Chandos advanced in front of the battalions, with his banner uncased in his hand. He presented it to the prince, saying: My lord, here is my banner: I present it to you, that I may display it in whatever manner shall be most agreeable to you, for, thanks to God, I have now sufficient lands that will enable me so to do, and maintain the rank which it ought to hold.'

"The prince Don Pedro being present, took the banner in his hands, which was blazoned with a sharp stake gules on a field argent after having cut off the tail to make it square, he displayed it, and, returning it to him by the handle, said, 'Sir John, I return you your banner. God give you strength and honor to preserve it.'

"Upon this, Sir John left the prince, went back with the banner in his hand, and said to them: Gentlemen, behold my banner and yours: you will therefore guard it as becomes you.' His companions, taking the banner, replied with much cheerfulness, that if it pleased God and St George, they would defend it well, and act worthily of it, to the utmost of their abilities.'

"The banner was put into the hands of a worthy English squire, called William Allestry, who bore it with honor that day, and loyally acquitted himself in the service."-JOHNES's Froissart, I. 731.

which, thereafter, the knight banneret might display in every pitched field, in that more noble form. If created by the King, the banneret took precedence of all other knights; but if by a general, only of Knights of the Bath, and Knights Bachelors. Sir Francis Brian, commander of the light horsemen, and Sir Ralph Vane, lieutenant of the men-at-arms, received this honour, with our Sir Ralph Sadler, on the field of Pinkie. But he survived his companions, and is said to have been the last knight banneret of England; at least the last created for service against a common enemy.

I have discovered no trace of Sir Ralph Sadler's being employed in public affairs during the rest of Edward's short reign. He unquestionably retained his place in the council; and in a grant dated 4th Edward VI., and quoted by Dugdale, in his "Warwickshire," he is termed "then master of the great wardrobe." His prudence, probably, prevented him from attaching himself zealously to any of the factions, whose strife and mutual hatred disturbed the quiet of their amiable sovereign, excited rebellion among his people, and lost all the advantage his arms had gained in the battle of Pinkie.

In the reign of Philip and Mary, it would seem that Sir Ralph Sadler retired to his estate near Hackney. A courtier, who had risen under the

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auspices of Cromwell, and participated so largely in the spoils of the Church of Rome, must have been no favourite with the existing government. Accordingly, he resigned his office of clerk of the Hamper to propitiate Archbishop Heath, then chancellor,* and perhaps made other concessions, of the nature and extent of which we are now ignorant. Yet we have positive evidence, that Sir Ralph Sadler was so far from being in absolute disgrace, that he was, in some degree, trusted by the sovereign, even during this reign; for there are two letters from Mary, printed in the Collection of State Papers, empowering and commanding Sir Ralph Sadler to arm and equip as many able men as he could maintain, and to keep them ready, upon an hour's notice, for the suppression of popular tumults. It is probable nevertheless, that, notwithstanding this proof of confidence, Sir Ralph Sadler did not think his prosperity secure till the accession of Queen Elizabeth.

So soon as this event took place, he was called to the privy council of his new sovereign, and, until the day of his death, retained a great portion of her regard and esteem; no man being more fre