“When <g>Queen Margaret</g>,” says Grafton, “knew that King Edward was come so near her, she tarried not long at Bath, but, removing in great haste to Bristow, sent out certain horsemen to espie whether she might safely pass ouer the riuer Seuerne, by Gloucester, into Wales, whither she determined first to go to augment her armie; and then without any delay, with speere and shielde, to set on her enemyes wheresoeuer they would abyde.” But having learned from the spies that the city of Gloucester had been intimidated by Richard, the king’s brother; that the Governor, Lord Beauchamp, had peremptorily refused to allow her to pass over their bridge; and that the townspeople were neither to be won by promises nor deterred by threats, “she shortly departed from Bristow with her armie to a propre towne on Seuerne-syde, called <g>Tewkesbury</g>. The Lord Beauchamp tooke from her rere-ward more ordinance than she might have well spared, which did to her no small prejudice.” The march lasted from sun to sun--impeded by the wretched cross-roads, and in continual skirmishes with the enemy. “In weary march the night had pass’d, And Lancaster with joy espied Fair <g>Tewkesbury’s</g> hoary towers at last Reflected in Sabrina’s tide. Gloster had closed her gates, and sent Loud insults from each battlement: Nor did the rebel town make known Her enmity in scoffs alone; For many a mile, from copse and dell, As onward passed the arméd train, An arrowy shower around them fell, And many a gallant form was slain-- Unseen the hand that brought his bane. Bold Beaufort, who the vaward held, As morning’s dewy mists dispell’d, And Tewkesbury’s turrets tipt with light Rose on his view--a welcome sight-- Through all his host the signal pass’d.” Here, after their harassing night march, the troops were permitted to halt for some slight rest and refreshment; and, drawn up close to the banks of the Severn, could scan during their hasty repast the verdant field, now bright with the morning sun, over which the angel of destruction was hovering with outstretched but invisible wings. But full of hope, and encouraged by the words and presence of the Queen and her son Prince Edward, who had both shared with them the terrors of the night, and now anticipated a triumphant day, no thoughts of discomfiture once crossed the soldier’s mind.