[1] [2] The barons of the land, iudging such vnlawfull doings not to be anie longer suffered, first besieged the castell of Windsore, and after preparing to leuie a greater force, did put them within in such feare, that they yéelded vp the same, séeking to escape by [page 138] flight, some into one place, and some into an other, the which yet being apprehended were put to worthie ex|ecution. Ger. Dor. But this was not doone without continu|ance of time, & without great trouble & charges to the realme: for whereas there was a practise betwixt the French king and earle Iohn, that a great power of strangers, & namelie Flemings should haue come into the realme (for whose transporting a great num|ber of ships were brought togither at Witsand) yet the high prouidence and goodnesse of God disappoin|ted their purpose. For their messengers being taken which were sent hither into England, the treason was reuealed, and by the queene mothers appoint|ment (who cheefelie then ruled the land) a great com|panie of knights, men of armes, and commons of the countrie, watched the sea coasts ouer against Flanders, to keepe the enimies from landing. They began thus to watch in the passion wéeke, and so continued till a certeine time after Easter. Howbeit earle Iohn came secréetlie ouer, in hope to haue not onelie the assistance of the Welshmen and of manie other his freends in England, but also of the Scots, howbeit, the king of Scots would not meddle. He therefore with such Welshmen and other as he had brought ouer, and such Englishmen as he could get to take his part, began such attempts (as before ye haue heard) to the disquieting of the whole realme, and great displeasure of the king.