The Lords of the Marches were not now ordered to contribute any troops,
but were to hold their castles strongly; lest, when the army was fairly
entangled among the mountains, Glendower should make a great incursion
into England. The only advantage gained by the English invasion was
that the king, by promises of pardon and rewards, drew away a number of
the leading men who had hitherto acted with Glendower. Their defection,
however, was more than made up by the enthusiasm excited by the
spectacle of the second retirement of a great English army, without
having effected anything of importance.
So evident was this, that in October Henry again advanced, with the
contingents of no fewer than twenty-two counties. The season, however,
was already unfavourable for operations and, after enduring great
hardships and suffering, the army again fell back, having effected even
less than the two which had preceded it.
Things, however, turned out fortunately for Oswald. The army had
advanced a week across the border when a messenger arrived at Ludlow,
with a letter from London for the king.
"It will be no easy matter to forward it," Sir Edmund said, as the
despatch was handed to him. "Indeed, I see not how it is to be done.
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