[1] In the end of Aprill the barons hearing where the king was, departed from London with a great multitude of the citizens, whom they placed in the vantward, and marched foorth towards the king, and comming neere to the place where he was lodged; set downe their tents, and incamped themselues a little beside him. Either here or by the waie as they came forward, the barons deuised a letter, and sent it vnto the king, conteining an excuse of their dooings, and a declaration of their well meanings,The barons send a letter to the king. both to|wards him, and the wealth of the realme; and heere|with accused those that were about him, and with e|uill counsell misinformed him, both against them, a|gainst the publike wealth of the land, and his owne honor. This letter was dated the tenth of Maie, and subscribed with the names of a great number of no|ble men, of the which the more part doo here insue, but yet not all; Sir Simon de Montfort earle of Leicester and high steward of England, sir Gilbert de Clare earle of Glocester, Robert Ferrers earle of Darbie, Hugh Spenser lord cheefe iustice, & Hen|rie Montfort sonne and heire to the earle of Leice|ster, Richard Grey, Henrie Hastings, Iohn Fitz Iohn, Robert de Uéepont, Iohn Ginuile, Robert Rops, William Marmion, Baldwine Wake, Gil|bert Gifford, Nicholas de Segraue, Godfrey de Lu|cie, Iohn de Ueisie, William de Mountchensie, with other. The king answered this letter,The answer to y^ [...] barons. in char|ging them with rebellion, and moouing of open war against him, to the great disquieting of the realme. Also he laid vnto their charge, the burning of the ma|nours, houses and places of his nobles and councel|lors; and herewith defied them by the same answer,He defieth them. which was dated at Lewes aforesaid on the twelfth of Maie.