[1] [2] The bishop of Salisburie dooing this message not so circumspectlie as had béene conuenient, returned without bringing anie towardlie answer; but rather words of high despite and vtter defiance. For the lords that were about the king, trusting in their war|like engines and strength of place, in which they were incamped, though otherwise inferior in num|ber of men, purposed to abide the brunt of battell; and so led with the spirit of rashnesse, sent none other answer backe againe by the bishop, but contumeli|ous words sounding greatlie to the reproch of their aduersaries; who being sore offended therewith, de|termined to seeke reuenge with dint of sword. The earle of March as then being in the floure of his lu|stie and most couragious youth, lieng betweene Toucetor and Northampton, determined to set on the kings armie without longer delaie: and there|vpon in the night season remooued his campe tow|ard Northampton, and in marching forward set his men in order of battell: wherof the vant-ward was led by the earle of Warwike, which either by strength or stealth wan a streict which the lord Beaumont kept, going toward the kings campe;The battell of Northamptõ and herewith entring freshlie with his people, began the battell a|bout seauen of the clocke the ninth daie of Iulie. Af|ter him followed the earle of March with the banner of his father. ¶Others write, Whethamsted. that the earle of March led the fore-ward, the erle of Warwike the middle|ward, and the lord Fauconbridge the rere-ward.