e
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.

Among the tenants of Mortimer's estate, and those of the young earl,
were many Welsh. Against them no measures were taken. They and their
fathers, sometimes indeed three generations of them, had lived
peaceably; and had rendered military service, when required, in the
troubles of England; and Mortimer was reluctant to treat them harshly,
especially as all declared their readiness to serve, and prove their
devotion to their English lord.

"They are not sufficiently numerous," he said, "to be a source of any
danger. Were Glendower to invade England in great force doubtless they
would join him, to save their lives and those of their families; but
being but one to four or five of the English tenants, I see not that
they can be a source of danger to us."

Chapter 16: A Letter For The King.

A large number of Flemings had settled in Wales, having left their own
country in consequence of the constant troubles there; and many of
these had set up cloth mills, at Welshpool and other places. Having
suffered great destruction of property at the hands of Glendower, and
seeing no hope of the insurrection being put down by the English, they
resolved to take the matter into their own hands. Fifteen hundred of
them gathered, secretly, and surrounded Glendower in one of his
mountain intrenchments.

He repulsed their attacks, but the situation was desperate. Provisions
ran short. He was unable to summon help, and at last determined, with
his little body of followers, to endeavour to cut his way out through
the besiegers. The attack was sudden and fierce. The Flemings, who,
knowing the smallness of his force, had made no preparations to repel
an attack, were seized with a panic at the fierce appearance and the
wild cries of the Welsh, who fell upon them with such fury that two
hundred of the Flemings were slain, and the Welsh cut their way through
the beleaguering line.

The news of this feat was received with immense enthusiasm, throughout
the principality. Great numbers flocked to Glendower's standard; th