[536] All this time the hostile armies in the south were approaching each other.

The Prince of Orange, when he learned that the King had arrived at Salisbury, thought it time to leave Exeter.

He placed that city and the surrounding country under the government of Sir Edward Seymour, and set out on Wednesday the twenty-first of November, escorted by many of the most considerable gentlemen of the western counties, for Axminster, where he remained several days.
The King was eager to fight; and it was obviously his interest to do so.

Every hour took away something from his own strength, and added something to the strength of his enemies.

It was most important, too, that his troops should be blooded.