One reason why I have not taken on many men, since the talk of
coming troubles began, is that, close to the border as we are, many
have connections with the Welsh by business or marriage; and these, if
enrolled in the garrison, might serve as spies, and give warning of any
movement we might undertake. I had hoped that Percy could have spared
me a hundred good men-at-arms. I would rather have had his men than
others, because they have been trained in border warfare, by the
constant troubles in Scotland; and would, moreover, come to me with a
better heart than others, since Sir Henry's wife is my sister, and it
is, therefore, almost a family quarrel upon which they have entered.
"Had I known, when I wrote, that the king was on his way north, I
should have taken steps to raise my strength elsewhere, as of course
Percy would have occasion to use every lance he could muster. Lord Grey
has sent off a messenger to the king, begging him to denounce this
fellow as an outlaw; and should he be troublesome, he himself may,
after he has done with the Scots, send hither a force; for although we
may hope, with the aid of the levies of the border counties, to drive
back the Welsh in whatever force they may come, 'tis another thing to
march into the mountains.
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