The archers had all agreed to scatter far and wide through the country, many of them proceeding to Nottingham and joining the bands in the forest of Sherwood.
Cuthbert himself had determined to make his way to the castle of his friend, Sir Baldwin, and to leave the Lady Margaret in his charge.

Cnut hurried on at full speed to the house of a franklin, some three miles distant.

Here horses were obtained and saddled, and dresses prepared; and when Cuthbert with Lady Margaret arrived there, no time was lost.
Dressed as a yeoman, with the Lady Margaret as his sister, he mounted a horse, with her behind him on a pillion.

The other damsels also mounted, as it would not have been safe for them to remain near Evesham.

They therefore purposed taking refuge in a convent near Gloucester for the present.