‘After Chevy Chase’ is based on a folk ballad about a battle between the Earl of Northumberland and the Scottish Earl of Douglas over an area of hunting land (or chase) in the Cheviot Hills. In Dicksee’s painting, the battle has been fought and a dead knight lies face-down, guarded by his faithful hounds. It is perhaps no coincidence that the dogs occupy a position of prominence, as the artist specialised in painting dogs, especially deerhounds like the one at the left of the painting.

Oil painting on canvas, ‘After Chevy Chase’ (Battle of Otterburn 1388) by Herbert Thomas Dicksee (London 1862 – London 1942), signed and dated, bottom left: Herbert Dicksee 1894 [almost effaced]. A moorland landscape, with a fallen warrior, possibly Earl Douglas, dead on the field of battle and his sorrowing dogs howling at his side. The title refers to a ballad relating an episode from the border wars between the Percys of Northumberland and the Douglas clan. At the Battle of Otterburn James Douglas is killed although the Scottish win and take Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur) hostage and were intially unaware of their leader’s death. ‘A more redoubted knight never perished by such a chance.’ (quote from English ballad)/ “O bury me by the braken-bush, Beneath the blooming brier; Let never living mortal ken That ere a kindly Scot lies here.” (quote from Scottish ballad) It was exhbited at the Royal Academy in 1894 (no. 276).

Provenance: Presented to the National Trust in 1977 by Colonel L. Gray-Cheape.

Marks and inscriptions: Bottom left: HERBERT DICKSEE 1894

Text from the National Trust website

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Herbert Dicksee (1862 – 1942)
Date: 1894

Image Details
Date: 20 June 2024
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/25s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of a National Trust asset. This image cannot be licensed.