Four hundred footmen were to follow, at once.
Sir John Wyncliffe at first thought of taking the command himself, but it was pointed out to him that his presence would be required, in Ludlow, to marshal the forces that would speedily arrive from all the country round.

Sir John Burgon, therefore, a valiant knight, who had greatly distinguished himself against the French, was unanimously chosen by his companions as leader of the whole party; while with him rode Sir Philip Haverstone, and Sir William Bastow.
"This reminds one of one's doings at home, Oswald," his uncle said, as he formed up his little troop.

"I trust the Welsh will not retreat, until we have had a taste of their quality; but I doubt much if they will prove as formidable foes as the Scotch borderers." For a considerable portion of the distance, the roads led through forests, which at that time covered the greater part of the country.
Oswald, at the invitation of the knights, rode with them at the head of the cavalcade.

The way was beguiled by anecdotes, that had been passed down from mouth to mouth, of the last Welsh war.
They reached Knighton by nine o'clock.

The enemy had not, as yet, come within sight of the town; but, throughout the night, the sky to the west had been red with the flames of the burning villages and homesteads.
The male inhabitants were all under arms.