[1] Richard Marshall erle of Penbroke in this meane time ceassed not to waste the marshes of England next adioining to Wales, and dailie diuerse of the English Nobilitie repaired to him, so that the king was sore troubled in his mind. It chanced at the same time, that one Iohn of Monmouth a right va|liant capteine, who led the kings armie, receiued a great ouerthrow at the hands of Richard Marshall. For whereas the foresaid Iohn, hauing assembled a mightie host, made great hast towards his enimies, in hope to haue come vpon them at vnwares, and therefore marching by night, that he might be readie to assaile them somewhat afore the breake of the day, which in the summer season is the most silent time of all the night, it chanced farre otherwise than he looked it should haue doone. For the earle of Penbroke, hauing knowledge by his spies of his aduersaries intent, laie himselfe with his people within a wood in ambush by the way, where the said Iohn should passe, [page 218] and setting vpon him as he approched, put his people in such feare by the sudden incounter, that they knew not what capteine or ensigne they might follow, and so immediatlie fell to running awaie. The slaugh|ter was great on euerie side, Matth. Paris. both of Poictouins and others.Iohn Mon|mouth recei|ueth an ouer|throw. Diuerse of them fléeing also into the next woods, were receiued by such as were laid there to cut them off, and so slaine or taken out of hand. How|beit their chiefe capteine the forenamed Iohn of Monmouth escaped, with a few other in his compa|nie. This ouerthrow chanced the morrow after Christ|masse daie. Polydor.