At the end of a month they can return to you and, if needs be, you can send as many more in their places.

It may be that I shall not require these; but, possibly, every man may have to come out; but you must bear in mind it is not for the defence of this town and castle that men are required, for the garrison and burghers can hold out against any attack, but to save your homesteads from destruction." The news had created a deep sensation.

Although none of those present had experienced the horrors of border warfare, there was not one but had heard, from their fathers, tales of burning, massacre, and wholesale destruction by the Welsh forays.

But so long a time had passed, since the last serious insurrection, that the news that Wales might shortly be in arms, again, came as a terrible blow to them.

All agreed to send in their proportion of men, at once, and to see that the rest were all ready to assemble, immediately the summons came.
The next day some forty knights, owners of the castles thickly scattered through the border counties, assembled in Ludlow Castle.
There was a long consultation.