ts take not the occasion to rise against them. But to say
sooth these knew their own opportunity and took it, as ye shall find
hereafter.

That great battle was fully foughten on the first of May, and ere a
half month was fully worn the Barons' League sent a herald to Longshaw
praying for peace; but Sir Godrick straightway sent back answer that
he would grant the Barons peace when they had delivered up all their
strengths into his hands, then and not before. Such answer the herald
bore back. But their proud stomachs had not yet come down so far, and
they but sent back their defiance renewed: for they though that,
though there were not strong enough to meet Longshaw in the field, yet
they might hold their strengths in despite of it, and so dally out the
time until the King and the Porte were strong enough to come to their
help. Now was this put to the test; for straightway, when Sir Godrick
had their answer, he rose up and led a host against the castle of the
greatest of these Barons, and took it in ten days, after much loss of
his men. Then went he against the next greatest and took that, with
less pain. And meanwhile the Red Lad to the north, and another captain
to the south, had the business of riding here and there and making
nought of any gathering if they heard of the beginnings thereof. And
this they did, with much labour and no little battle; but thoroughly
they did it, so as Sir Godrick might carry on his sieges of the
strongholds without let or hindrance, so that before the winter came
he had all he wanted, and most of the Barons captive at Longshaw. As
to the strongholds, into some he put his own men, and some he threw
down.

So noble Yule they kept at Longshaw that year, with all those great
men feasting at the table. But a day or two after Yule came a herald
riding through the snow (for that season was hard), on behalf of the
Barons' League, what was left of it, craving for peace, and Sir
Godrick said that peace they might have if they would, or not as they
would, but the terms were that he should keep what he had got, but
ransom his captives duly; or else they might dwell at Longshaw all
their lives long if they would. Now there was no help for it but such
terms they must take, and be glad that it was no worse.

So peace was made, and all was quiet till after Marymass. Osberne had
somewhat of a mind to get him into the Wood, and seek through the
strengths and other houses that were scattered about in the