Leicester had therefore been apprized, at an early moment, of the Prince's intentions, but he was not aware that the convoy would be accompanied by so strong a force as had really been detailed.
He had accordingly ordered Sir John Norris, who commanded on the outside of the town near the road which the Spaniards must traverse, to place an ambuscade in his way.

Sir John, always ready for adventurous enterprises, took a body of two hundred cavalry, all picked men, and ordered Sir William Stanley, with three hundred pikemen, to follow.

A much stronger force of infantry was held in reserve and readiness, but it was not thought that it would be required.

The ambuscade was successfully placed, before the dawn of Thursday morning, in the neighbourhood of Warnsfeld church.

On the other hand, the Earl of Leicester himself, anxious as to the result, came across the river just at daybreak.