The news of Mortimer's defeat and capture had been received, by the
time Oswald returned to Alnwick.
"'Tis bad news, indeed," Percy said to him, "and I know that, as you
have been staying so long at Ludlow, you will be deeply grieved at the
misfortune that has befallen Mortimer. However, I doubt not that he
will soon be ransomed. I know that the king appointed a commission of
knights, to treat at once with Glendower for Lord Grey's ransom, and
has given orders for the raising of the great sum demanded. It is to be
gathered from a tax on church properties, and in other ways; and
doubtless he will do the same for Mortimer, whose lands have been so
harried, by the Welsh, that it will be impossible to raise any large
sum from the tenants."
"I fear, Sir Henry," Oswald said, "that the king will be lukewarm on
the subject. During his three invasions, he has never once summoned Sir
Edmund to join him; nor has he passed through Ludlow, as he might well
have done, seeing that it is a central position, and the nearest way
for an army marching towards Plinlimmon. I remarked, too, that when I
mentioned Mortimer's name in my discourse with him, the king's brow
clouded, as if ill pleased at the name.
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