He took money with him, to pay the expenses
for the keep of the horses; and returned, with them and the armour,
after an absence of three weeks.
Passing through Worcester on his way back, he had, at Oswald's order,
purchased for himself clothes suitable for his position as an esquire.
As for armour, it had been arranged that he should have it made for him
at Alnwick, as it would be difficult to obtain a suit sufficiently
large for him.
At the end of the three months the necessary repairs to the castle were
finished. The gates had been greatly strengthened with thick bands of
iron, the moat cleared out, and at various points the defences had been
strengthened. The small amount of furniture then deemed necessary still
remained there and, where needful, had been repaired and put in good
order. Eight men-at-arms had been taken by Oswald into his service, and
a trusty man appointed as seneschal.
Then, after paying another visit to Yardhope, Oswald rode, with Roger
and two well-mounted men-at-arms, to Alnwick.
It was now April, and bad news had just arrived. Glendower had
commenced the campaign with great vigour, as the appearance of a comet
had been interpreted, by the bards, as an omen most favourable to him,
and his force had greatly increased during the winter.
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