It was an anxious day at St.
Albans, where many ladies whose husbands were with Warwick's army had, like Dame Tresham, taken up their quarters.

It was but a few miles from the field of battle.

In the event of victory they could at once join their husbands, while in case of defeat they could take refuge in the sanctuary of the abbey.

Messengers the night before had brought the news that the battle would begin at the dawn of day, and with intense anxiety they waited for the news.
Dame Tresham and her son attended early mass at the abbey, and had returned to their lodgings, when Sir Thomas rode up at full speed.
His armour was dinted and his plume shorn away from his helmet.

As he entered the house he was met by his wife, who had run downstairs as she heard his horse stop at the door.