use the party that were to relieve them. As soon
as these issued out, the sentries were called in, and stretched
themselves for three hours' sleep.

Before day dawned, a messenger rode in from Chirk, bearing Earl
Talbot's orders for the evacuation of the house, as there could be no
advantage in retaining it; and, were it empty, Glendower might return
there, and afford them another opportunity for capturing him.

On the following day the party broke up. Lord Grey rode with his men to
Ruthyn, and the forty men-at-arms from Ludlow returned to that town;
where, a few days later, the news arrived that Glendower, with a large
following, had established himself on the rugged height of Corwen, and
was engaged in strengthening the ancient fortifications on its summit.

For a time there was quiet on the border, and then came the startling
news that Glendower had suddenly surprised, plundered, and burnt to the
ground the town of Ruthyn, where a fair was being held at the time.
Then, having obtained great booty, and greatly injured his enemy Lord
Grey, he again retired. It was evident that no local force of
sufficient strength could be found to pursue Glendower into his
fastnesses on the ranges of Berwyn and Snowdon, and nothing was done
until, three months later, the king, on his return from Scotland,
marched into Wales with the levies of Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and
eight other adjacent counties, while orders were issued to the people
of Shrewsbury, and other towns on the eastern border, to hold
themselves in readiness to repel any movement of the Welsh in that
direction.

The king, however, accomplished nothing. Glendower, with his following,
took refuge among the forests of Snowdon; and the English army marched
along the north coast, putting to the sword a few bands of peasantry,
who ventured to oppose them; crossed to the Isle of Anglesey and,
entering the Franciscan monastery of Llanfaes, slew some of the monks
and carried the rest to England, and established a community of English
monks in the convent. This was done because the Franciscans had been
supporters of the late king, and were believed to have given aid and
encouragement to Glendower.

The Welsh expedition was, therefore, no more successful than the Scotch
had been.

For a time, matters settled down. Glendower was occupied in
strengthening his position. So much had his reputation spread, that
large numbers of Welshmen who had settled in England now sold