ts for some time, "is twofold. In the first place the
ecclesiastics, for the most part, and the monks of all the orders save
the Franciscans, favoured King Henry against Richard; but the chief
reason is the long animosity between the Church and the Bards, of whom
Glendower is a great patron; and who have done him great service, by
stirring up the people with their songs. The bards have ever been
foremost in instigating insurrections in Wales. Edward the First
attempted to suppress them altogether, and his edict for executing
them, by martial law, is still unrepealed; and they dare not venture to
show themselves, in any castle or town held by us. But they have, to a
man, rallied round Glendower. His house was always open to them, and he
was even distinguished by some Welsh name, meaning the protector of the
bards. 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. Even in
Ludlow, every precaution was taken; all Welshmen were expelled from the
town, and the garrison was also purged of them, although some of th