he tenants
assemble here, next Saturday, in their arms and harness, that I myself
may inspect them. You may tell them that a third of their number must
be in readiness tonight, and must ride hither by morning. The others
must, on an alarm being given, gather in strong houses, selected by
themselves as the most defensible in their district, with their wives
and families, so as to repel any attack the Welsh may make; leaving
behind them the boys and old men, to drive out their flocks and herds,
either towards the nearest castle, or to Hereford or Shrewsbury, as may
be nearest to them."

When the knights had left, messengers were sent out to all the owners
of castles in Radnor, Hereford, and Shropshire; bidding them assemble,
in four days' time, at Ludlow. On the day of the meeting, nearly three
hundred tenants and vassals presented themselves. To them Sir Edmund,
having first inspected them and their arms, explained the situation.
Then, each man was asked how many he could bring into the field, in
accordance with the terms of his holding, and it was found the total
amounted to nigh eight hundred men.

"I know not when the affair is likely to begin; and will, therefore,
call only for a quarter of your force. Send your sons and unmarried
men. At the end of a month they can return to you and, if needs be, you
can send as many more in their places. It may be that I shall not
require these; but, possibly, every man may have to come out; but you
must bear in mind it is not for the defence of this town and castle
that men are required, for the garrison and burghers can hold out
against any attack, but to save your homesteads from destruction."

The news had created a deep sensation. Although none of those present
had experienced the horrors of border warfare, there was not one but
had heard, from their fathers, tales of burning, massacre, and
wholesale destruction by the Welsh forays. But so long a time had
passed, since the last serious insurrection, that the news that Wales
might shortly be in arms, again, came as a terrible blow to them. All
agreed to send in their proportion of men, at once, and to see that the
rest were all ready to assemble, immediately the summons came.

The next day some forty knights, owners of the castles thickly
scattered through the border counties, assembled in Ludlow Castle.
There was a long consultation. Arrangements were made for the despatch
of messengers, by those nearest to the frontier, w