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corresponding with the figure of the hill, which may be nearly a mile in circumference. At the distance of a mile or more from and to the Northwest of, the Byrth, is another hill, which is part of Maer Heath, and is called the Camp Hill. Between these are two more hills: the one very near to the Byrth, which is named the Little Byrth; and the other, which is larger, is called Coplow. Dr. Plot is of opinion, that a battle was fought here, about the year of our Lord 705, between Osrid king of Northumberland and Kenred king of Mercia. He also conjectures Coplow hill to be the tumulus of Osrid, and the Byrth to be a fortification or strong-hold that Kenred had raised against him." His conjectures seem to be grounded chiefly on a quotation from Henry Huntingdon, viz. " Osrid vero rex belli infortunio juxta Mere pugnans interfectus est." In taking a view of the ground on Maer-Heath, there appears to me to be nothing artificial, except the two small hills on the Camp Hill, and the foss and rampart round the Byrth.

A few years ago, Geo. Tollet, esq. a gentleman of learning and an Antiquary, the Rev. T. Barlow (see my Church Notes from Madeley and Betley, vol. LXXIX, pp. 410, 522,) and Mr. Poole, of Finney Green, and other gentlemen, went to view Maer Heath, for the purpose of ascertain ing whether there were any barrows. They dug into those places that had most resemblance to barrows, but found nothing like sepulchral remains. Coplow hill is evidently the work of Nature; and as a public road has been made over part of the heath since the time of Dr. Plot, and sections made through some parts of the hills, in which regular strata appear, I am inclined to think that Osrid was slain near some other place called Merc.

The Byrth and Camp hills were no doubt the stations of some armies in time past; and as in the contests between the Houses of York and Lancaster, the battle between James Lord Audley, who fought for King Henry the Sixth, and Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury, who was in arms for the House of York, took place at Blore Heath, about five or six miles distant from these stations; I shall

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submit a few conjectures of the pr bability, that the Earl of Salisbury was posted on the Byrth hill, and Lord Audley was encamped on the Camp hill previous to the Battle of Blore Heath.

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According to Rapin's History, "Lord Audley was encamped on Biore Heath near a little river ¡ Salisbury posted himself on the other side, as if he meant to guard the pass, and hinder his being attacked; then suddenly feigning a fear, he retired in the night, marching so as, at break of day, his enemies could still see the rear of his army. This retreat, which seemed to be with precipitation, inspiring the Royalists with ardour, they began to pass the river in disorder, imagining that they had nothing to do but pursue the flying enemy. But, whilst they were in this confusion, some being over the river, others in the water, and others ready to pass, the Earl of Salisbury returned, and fell upon the troops already over, who had scarce time to draw up. The fight lasted, however, four or five hours, because the King's troops were supported by those that were continually passing. But as this could not be done without confusion, the Royal army was at length put to rout, with the loss of 2400 men. Audley himself was slain, with all the principal officers; among whom were, Sir Thomas Dutton, Sir John Dunne, Sir Hugh Venables, Sir Rich. Molineux, Sir John Leigh, &c.

"The Cheshiremen were the greatest sufferers; who wore, that day little silver swans (the Prince of Wales's badge), which the Queen had ordered to be distributed to all the gentlemen of the country.

This battle was fought on September 25, 1459, about one mile re, on Blore from Drayton in Shropshire, Heath, which lies in Staffordshire; where, at the head of the river Sow, a stone is set up in memory of James Lord Audley, there slain."

It is not to be supposed, that writers of a general engagement can enter so minutely into details, as to describe the precise spot where any particular river has its source. And in the hurry and confusion of a battle, several transactions, of subordinate consider ation or importance, might be omitted or misrepresented, either from want of recollection, or owing to in

correct,