He practised arms with them; tilted in the courtyard of the castle; occasionally rode out, hunting and hawking, with a party of knights and ladies; helped to drill the bodies of tenants who, a hundred at a time, came in to swell the garrison.

Sometimes he carried Mortimer's orders to the governors of the castles, or rode with a strong party into Hereford or Radnor.
A short time after his arrival, Montgomery was taken by storm by Glendower; and all Englishmen, and Welshmen suspected of friendship for the English, slain.

Shortly afterwards, the suburbs of Welshpool were burnt by him, to the great loss of the Earl of Powys; whose annoyance was all the greater, since most of his own tenants were under arms, with Glendower.

Following hard upon these pieces of bad news came word that he had fallen upon the Abbey of Cwmhir, six miles from Rhayader, in Radnorshire, which he entirely destroyed.

The news caused great indignation, and the reason for this sacrilegious act was warmly discussed at the castle.
"The reason, methinks," Sir Edmund said, after he had listened to the knights for some time, "is twofold.