E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Chevy Chase.
There had long been a rivalry between the families of Percy and Douglas, which showed itself by
incessant raids into each other’s territory. Percy of Northumberland one day vowed he would hunt for three days in the Scottish border, without condescending to ask leave of Earl Douglas. The Scotch warden said in his anger, “Tell this vaunter he shall find one day more than sufficient,” The ballad called Chevy Chase mixes up this hunt with the battle of Otterburn, which, Dr. Percy justly observes, was “a very different event.” (Chaucer, chevachie, a military expedition on horseback.)
