Last battle Andrew Barton (privateer)

an 1887 illustration of barton s last battle

later in 1511, andrew barton cruising english coast looking portuguese prizes when , ships lion , jenny pirwyn captured after fierce battle sir edward howard , brother thomas howard, 3rd duke of norfolk, off kent @ downs. according story told in ballads, andrew shot , killed english archer during battle , subsequently beheaded, head being taken english king evidence of death. if true, such action perhaps have been illegal because barton possessed letter of marque. contemporary english , scottish chronicle accounts agree andrew died of wounds received in fight.

the incident recalled 2 years later in exchange of rhetoric @ battle of flodden. story of sea-battle told raphael holinshed , in other 16th-century english chronicles. in holinshed s story howards @ first pretended approach , salute andrew barton, engaged in battle, barton s ship unicorn , died wounds. scottish survivors taken london , kept prisoner in bishop of york s lodging, york place @ whitehall. edward hall wrote andrew encouraged men during fight whistle. hall mentions 2 ships brought blackwall on 2 august 1511, , prisoners freed after interview bishop of winchester, after acknowledging piracy.

the scottish bishop john lesley gave similar account of battle in chronicle. george buchanan has detail andrew barton continued fighting after leg broken gunshot, , encouraged sailors beating drum before died wounds. buchanan emphasises howards sailed on instruction of henry viii following representation portuguese ambassador. hall wrote henry viii @ leicester when ordered howards chase scottish ships.