[1] [2] They were so inclosed with their carts, carriages, trenches (which they had cast) and stakes pitched in the ground to kéepe off the force of horssemen, that it would haue béene somewhat dangerous to haue as|sailed them within their strength. But sure they were that now they could not escape, séeing no small part of their whole numbers were cut off and distres|sed, and they inuironed on ech side, without hope of succour or reléefe of vittels, which in the end must néeds haue forced them to come foorth of their inclo|sure to their vndoubted ouerthrow and destruction. The earle of Warwike yet pitieng their case, and loth that the king should loose so manie stout mens bodies as were there amongst them, which might doo his maiestie and their countrie good seruice, if they could be reclamed from this their desperat follie vn|to due obedience, sent Norreie vnto them, offe|ring them pardon of life if they would throw downe their weapons and yéeld:Pardon eft|s [...]es offered. if not, he threatened that there should not a man of them escape the deserued punishment. Their answer was, that if they might be assured to haue their liues saued, they could be contented to yeeld: but they could haue no trust that promise should be kept with them. For notwithstan|ding all such faire offers of pardon, they tooke it that there was nothing meant but a subtill practise, to bring them into the hands of their aduersaries the gentlemen, that had prepared a barrell of ropes and halters, with which they purposed to trusse them vp: and therefore they would rather die like men, than to be strangled at the wils and pleasures of their mor|tall enimies.