On February 27, 1643-44, the Parliamentary forces took up their position about two miles from the house, and on the following day a letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax requiring the delivery of Lathom was sent to the Countess, to which she replied that she "much wondered that he wold require her to give up her Lord's house without any offence on her part done to the Parliament," and she asked for a week's consideration, "both to resolve the doubts of conscience and to advice in matter of law and honor."[146] This modest request was not at once granted, but after some further parley, and various proposals having on both sides been made and rejected, her ladyship ended the matter by saying "that though a woman and a stranger divorced from her friends and rob'd of her estate, she was ready to receive their utmost vyolence, trusting in God both for protection and deliverance." The siege was now begun in earnest, though the object seems to have been rather to starve out the garrison than to take the place by storm; sorties were frequently made by the cavaliers, and from time to time shots were fired at the walls and towers by the enemy. One chronicle adds they were intended either to "beate down pinnacles and turretts, or else to please the women that came to see the spectacle." After the siege had continued for nearly a month, Colonels Ashton and Moore appear to have begun to despair of success by ordinary weapons of war, and thereupon addressed a letter to the ministers of Lancashire asking them to "commend their case to God," so that "the Almighty would crowne their weake endeavours with speedy success." Towards the end of April another summons was sent to the Countess demanding immediate surrender, to which she replied in person to the messenger, "Carry this back to Rigby; tell that insolent rebell he shall neither have p'sons, goods nor house; when our strength and p'visions is spent, we shall find a fire more mercyfull than Rigby, and then if the providence of God p'vent it not, my goods and house shall burne in his sight; myselfe, children and souldiers, rather than fall into his hands, will seale our religion and loyalty in the same flame." During the last few days the only thing that gave any anxiety to the gallant band within Lathom was a large mortar-piece from which the besiegers were continually sending fireballs and grenades into their midst. To get possession of this a sally was made, and after some smart fighting it was captured and dragged within the walls.