The messengers arrived in time, and when the queen, after a long march, arrived before Gloucester, she found the gates shut in her face.

The governor had taken steps to prevent her numerous adherents in the town from rising on her behalf, and, manning the walls, refused to surrender.

Knowing that Edward was coming up rapidly, it was evident that there was no time to spare in an attempt to take the town, and the queen's army therefore pressed on, without waiting, to Tewkesbury.

Once across the river they would speedily be joined by the Earl of Pembroke, and Edward would be forced to fall back at once.
By the time they reached the river, however, they were thoroughly exhausted.

They had marched thirty-six miles without rest, along bad roads and through woods, and were unable to go farther.