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Which historical event is celebrated in the ballad “The Battle of Otterburn”?

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ballad Detail of an undated broadside ballad distributed in Boston following the execution of Levi Ames for burglary and intended to warn “thoughtless Youth.”

The ballad "The Battle of Otterburn" celebrates the historical Battle of Otterburn, which took place in August 1388.12

This conflict occurred during the late 14th-century wars between England and Scotland. The battle was sparked when the Scottish leader James Douglas, 2nd earl of Douglas, invaded England and captured the pennon of the English knight Sir Henry Percy (known as "Hotspur") during single combat. Seeking revenge, Percy engaged the Scots at Otterburn. Although the Scots emerged victorious and captured Percy and his brother, James Douglas was killed during the fighting.1

While the ballad commemorates this specific event, it is important to note that historical ballads often contain factual inaccuracies due to partisan alterations or faulty memory, serving more as reflections of folk attitudes toward the events they depict. A related ballad covering the same campaign is known as "Chevy Chase."21