+The Text+ is from a Cottonian MS. of the sixteenth century in the
British Museum (Vesp. A. xxv. fol. 178). It is carelessly written, and
words are here and there deleted and altered. I have allowed myself the
liberty of choosing readings from several alternatives or possibilities.
+The Story.+--There seems to be no doubt that this ballad is founded
upon an historical incident of 1571. The Scottish variants are mostly
called _Edom o' Gordon_, _i.e._ Adam Gordon, who was brother to George
Gordon, Earl of Huntly. Adam was a bold soldier; and, his clan being at
variance with the Forbeses--on religious grounds,--he encountered them
twice in the autumn of 1571, and inflicted severe defeat on them at the
battles of Tuiliangus and Crabstane. In November he approached the
castle of Towie, a stronghold of the Forbes clan; but the lady occupying
it obstinately refused to yield it up, and it was burnt to the ground.
It is not clear whether the responsibility of giving the order to fire
the castle attaches to Adam Gordon or to Captain Car or Ker, who was
Adam's right-hand man. But when all is said on either side, it is
irrational, as Child points out, to apply modern standards of morality
or expediency to sixteenth-century warfare. It is curious that this
text, almost contemporary with the occurrence which gave rise to the
ballad, should be wholly concerned with Captain Car and make no mention
of Adam Gordon.
For the burden, see Chappell _Popular Music of the Olden Time_, i. 226.