Many had already sent their wives and children, in waggons, towards Ludlow; but, as the town had a strong wall, the men were determined upon making a stout defence.
They crowded round the newly arrived troops, with loud cheers; which were raised, again and again, when they heard that, by midday, four hundred footmen would arrive to their assistance.

It had been arranged that Sir Philip Haverstone should remain in the town, to take charge of the defence; and that the mounted men should, under Sir John Burgon, endeavour to check the Welsh plundering parties in the open.

Sir William Bastow was to remain, to assist Haverstone in the defence of the town.

There was no great fear of this falling; as, before the day was out, four or five thousand men would be assembled at Ludlow, and would be able to march to its relief.

These matters being arranged, Sir John Burgon led his little troop out of the town.
The accounts of the Welsh forces were very conflicting, but the balance of opinion was that there were not less than four or five thousand of them.