"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 the
men-at-arms had served for many years. These men were told that, after
the troubles were over, they should again be taken into the service if
they chose; but that, in the present state of things, one traitor might
endanger the safety of the castle and town; and that, as it was
impossible to tell who were true men and who had been corrupted by
Glendower's agents, it was necessary that all should suffer, even if
innocent.
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