"As to the rights of that matter, I have nought to say. Lord Grey
manages the affairs with the Welsh in his own county of Denbighshire,
and along the north; and I keep their eastern border, and I meddle not
with his affairs, nor he with mine. I know that this Glendower is a
supporter of King Richard, of whom there are many tales current; some
saying that he escaped from Pomfret, and is still alive, though I doubt
not that the report that he died there is true. We know that there is,
in Scotland, a man whom it pleases Albany to put forward as Richard;
but this, methinks, is but a device to trouble our king. Whether this
Glendower believes in this man, or not, I know not; but certain it is
that he would embrace any opportunity to prove his hostility to Henry,
whom he professes to regard as a usurper. Whether it is on account of
his holding such opinions, and foolishly giving expression to them,
that Lord Grey thought fit to seize his estates I know not; nor,
indeed, do I care. Now, however, that the man has taken up arms, and by
force has dispossessed Lord Grey, the matter touches all of us who are
responsible for the keeping of peace in the Welsh marches.
"Were it only a quarrel between Lord Grey and this man, it would matter
but little; but, from all I hear, he exercises a strange influence over
his countrymen, who deem that he has mysterious powers, and can call up
spirits to aid him. For myself, I have never known an instance where
necromancy or spirits have availed, in any way, against stout arms and
good armour; but such is not, assuredly, the opinion of the unlearned,
either in this country or in Wales. But these mountaineers are
altogether without learning, and are full of superstitions. Even with
us, a man more learned than the commonalty is deemed, by them, to
dabble in the black art; and it may well be that this reputation
Glendower has obtained is altogether due to the fact that he has much
knowledge, whereas the people have none. However that may be, there is
no doubt that the Welsh people are mostly ignorant; and that, at the
call of this Glendower, men from all parts are hastening to join his
banner. Even on this side of the border there are complaints that the
Welsh servants are leaving, not openly and after a due termination of
service, but making off at night, and without a word of warning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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