Then Stanley himself arrived in the morning, and the Marshal in the evening, of the 20th of October.

Pelham ordered the magistrates to present themselves forthwith at his lodgings, and told them, with grim courtesy, that the Earl of Leicester excused himself from making them a visit, not being able, for grief at the death of Sir Philip Sidney, to come so soon near the scene of his disaster.

His Excellency had therefore sent him to require the town to receive an English garrison.

"So make up your minds, and delay not," said Pelham; "for I have many important affairs on my hands, and must send word to his Excellency at once.

To-morrow morning, at eight o'clock, I shall expect your answer." Next day, the magistrates were all assembled in the townhouse before six.
Stanley had filled the great square with his troops, but he found that the burghers-five thousand of whom constituted the municipal militia--had chained the streets and locked the gates.