Most people’s first thought when they hear the name of the town of Chevy Chase, Maryland is probably the Caddyshack legend himself. Of course, though, they probably also realize that Chevy did not actually manage to convince anyone to name a town after him, no matter how good a movie Fletch was. But I’m willing to bet that most visitors to Maryland aren’t aware that the town of Chevy Chase was actually named after a brutal battle fought between the Scottish and the English during the 100 Years War – or more accurately, named after a poem that was inspired by that battle!
The year is 1388, and by now the 100 Years War between England and France has been raging on for half a century. Scotland is, notably, an ally of the French. The Scottish commander James, Earl of Douglas, plans an attack on the English border territory of Otterburn.
On the other side is English commander Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, better known as Hotspur. He is called out by James Douglas, and the two engage in one-on-one combat.
Hotspur is defeated in the joust, and James Douglas takes his lance and pennant back to camp with him. This makes it a matter of honor for the English army to retrieve their lord’s equipment.
The Scots make camp between a densely wooded hill and a treacherous marsh, barricading themselves behind their wagons. From here, they launch a successful raid against Otterburn Castle, and settle down to have a meal.
The English, insulted by the capture of their commander’s pennant and lance, execute a bone-headed maneuver by charging straight at the Scottish position - in the dark, no less. They attempt to go around the fortified barricade, but end up charging straight into the marsh with their cavalry.
As this is happening, James Douglas exits the back of the camp, comes around the wooded hill, and hits the English flank with a full cavalry charge. There is some back-and-forth fighting, but the Scottish prevail.
Hotspur is captured and the English are routed, but in a valiant effort to save his men, James Douglas has been killed. In addition, when the Scots return to their camp, they find that it has been picked clean by an English raiding party.
The battle was such a decisive conflict that each side composed a ballad in its honor. The Scots called theirs The Battle of Otterburn, but the English version of the ballad tells the story of a hunting party led by Hotspur who illegally leads the group on a hunting ground, or chase, in the Cheviot Hills - the Cheviot Chase.
Lord Baltimore was such a fan of the ballad that he named this tract of land “Cheivy Chase” in 1725, and over the years it has developed into the town we know today as Chevy Chase!
So there you have it – the story of how Chevy Chase (and Chevy Chase) became, well, Chevy Chase. I can’t promise any more trivia regarding the actor, but what other wild facts about Maryland would you like to discover?
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