Now, after being hunted fugitives for so many years, they have, no doubt, used their influence with him to stir him up against the religious houses." But a heavier blow still was struck by Glendower, and the feeling at Ludlow was nothing short of consternation, when a fugitive arrived from the town of New Radnor, saying that the strong castle there had been carried by assault, the garrison of three-score men all beheaded, and the town laid in ashes.

This was the heaviest blow yet struck by Glendower.

The castle was of great strength, and the town had been walled by the Lords of the Marches.

That such a place should have been carried by Welsh kerns seemed well-nigh incredible, and the execution of the whole of the garrison aroused the most lively indignation.
"This is war to the knife, indeed," Sir Edmund Mortimer said; "and yet, abhorrent as is this wholesale murder of the garrison, I cannot but own that it is a politic step, on the part of Glendower.

The news will spread throughout Wales, and if so strong a place as New Radnor could not defend itself, how can lesser castles hope to do so?
Nor, indeed, will garrisons care to man the walls, since resistance means death.
Doubtless there were many Welsh among these men who were murdered, and you may be sure that their compatriots, in other castles, will hasten to desert and join Glendower." This, indeed, proved to be the case, the garrisons of the castles dwindled away, and hold after hold fell without resistance.