le 10.]

The law of arms forbade the defence of a fort not rationally
defensible; but it was over hardly construed against a gallant
gentleman. Grey was a fierce, stern man. It was Grey who hung the
priests in Oxfordshire from their church towers. It was Grey who led
the fiery charge upon the Scots at Musselburgh, and with a pike wound,
which laid open cheek, tongue, and palate, he "pursued out the chase,"
till, choked by heat, dust, and his own blood, he was near falling
under his horse's feet.[621]

[Footnote 621: He was held up by the Earl of
Warwick, who sprang from his own horse, and "did
lift a firkin of ale" to Grey's mouth. _Life of
Lord Grey of Wilton_, by his son.]

Three weeks passed, and still the French had made no sign. On the 22nd
an indistinct rumour came to Guisnes that danger was near. The frost
had set in; the low damp ground was hard, the dykes were frozen; and
in sending notice of the report to England, Grey said that Calais was
unprovided with food; Guisnes contained a few droves of cattle brought
in by forays over the frontier,[622] but no corn. On the 27th, the
intelligence became more distinct and more alarming. The Duke of Guise
was at Compiegne. A force of uncertain magnitude, but known to be
large, had suddenly appeared at Abbeville. Something evidently was
intended, and something on a scale which the English commanders felt
ill prepared to encounter. In a hurried council of war held at Calais,
it was resolved to make no attempt {p.298} to meet the enemy in the
field until the arrival of reinforcements, which were written for in
pressing haste.[623]

[Footnote 622: Grey to the Queen: _Calais MSS._
bundle 10.]

[Footnote 623: Wentworth and Grey to the Queen:
_Calais MSS._ bundle 10.]

But the foes with whom they had to deal knew their condition, and were
as well aware as themselves that success depended on rapidity. Had the
queen paid attention to Grey's despatch of the 22nd there was time to
have trebled the garrison and thrown in supplies; but it was vague,
and no notice was taken of it. The joint letter of Grey and Wentworth
written on the 27th, was in London in two days, and there were ships
at Portsmouth and in the Thames, which ought to have been ready for
sea at a moment's warning. Orders were sent to prepare; the Earl of
Rutland