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Ring Superstitions: Douglasses

In the ballad of Northumberland betrayed by Douglas,' Mary, a Douglas that dabbled in sorcery, shows the chamberlain of Earl Percy, James Swynard, the foes of the former in the field, through the 'weme' (hollow) of her ring :- I never was on English ground, Ne never sawe it with mine eye, But as my book it sheweth me, And through my ring I may descrye.

The treachery of Earl Douglas is thus foreshadowed, and the chamberlain returns sorrowfully to his master with the news of what he had seen. Earl Percy, however, is determined to keep his hunting appointment with Douglas :- Now nay, now nay, good James Swynard, I may not believe that witch ladye; The Douglasses were ever true, And they can ne'er prove false to me.

The 'witch-ladye' who effects such powerful influences with her magic ring is, nevertheless, rewarded for her warnings :- He writhe a gold ring from his finger And gave itt to that gay ladye; Sayes 'it was all that I cold save In Harley woods where I cold bee' (where I was).