It
was so the last time the king's army marched along, and the same when
he made his way through Denbigh to Anglesey.
"The Welsh care little for the burning of their houses. It takes but
two or three days' work to rebuild them. The harrying of the villages
will not bring the matter a day nearer to a conclusion. It is by
destroying the castles and houses of the better class that an effect
will be produced. The peasants have little to lose. The Welsh gentry
have houses and estates, and the fear of losing these may drive them to
abandon Glendower, and to come over to us. Many did so, after the
king's last invasion. Methinks the best policy would be to spare the
villagers, and give the peasants no cause for complaint, and to war
only against their leaders.
"But as to yourself, sir, there is not the most remote chance of your
getting through; and you had best wait here until the army returns, or
some levies, who may have arrived late at Shrewsbury, come up on their
way to join the king."
"I inquired at Shrewsbury, last night, sir; but I heard that no more
parties were expected, the contingents from all the counties having
joined the king, at Worcester, on the day ordered. My intention is that
I and my man-at-arms will leave our horses here, and go forward on
foot.
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