'After Chevy Chase' (Battle of Otterburn 1388)

Herbert Thomas Dicksee (London 1862 – London 1942). Oil painting on canvas, 'After Chevy Chase' (Battle of Otterburn 1388) by Herbert Thomas Dicksee (London 1862 – London 1942), signed and dated, bottom left: Herbert Dicksee 1894 [almost effaced]. A moorland landscape, with a fallen warrior, possibly Earl Douglas, dead on the field of battle and his sorrowing dogs howling at his side. The title refers to a ballad relating an episode from the border wars between the Percy's of Northumberland and the Douglas clan. At the Battle of Otterburn James Douglas is killed although the Scottish win and take Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur) hostage and were intially unaware of their leader's death. 'A more redoubted knight never perished by such a chance.' (quote from English ballad)/ "O bury me by the braken-bush, Beneath the blooming brier; Let never living mortal ken That ere a kindly Scot lies here." (quote from Scottish ballad) It was exhbited at the Royal Academy in 1894 (no. 276). Cragside, Northumberland (Accredited Museum)