The Earl having taken Livery and Seisin of part of his kingdom, and now in the way of possessing himself with the whole, Rice ap Thomas forthwith commanded the beacons to be set on fire, thereby to give notice to all the countries adjacent of his landing, and withal to summon his friends and kinsmen from all parts where his power was extended, to come in with their forces, some in one place and some in another, in his way to Shrewsbury.... Being in this glorious equipage and so strongly provided on all hands, Rice ap Thomas made with all speed for Shrewsbury, and, as he went, met with the Earl of Richmond in his way, to whom he made humble obeisaunce, vowing to follow him through all dangers, to the utter subversion both of the tyrant and his wicked accomplices.... When the Earl was, as I said, in his way to Shrewsbury, met and saluted by Rice ap Thomas with so goodly a band of Welshmen, it was no small joy to him.... For you must know the Earl all this while was much appalled and troubled in his mind, not knowing well what to think of Rice ap Thomas, there being divers rumours dispersed up and down through his army that the said Rice meant to side with Richard, and for that purpose was ready to give him battle; which rumour indeed, Rice himself, out of policy, had caused to be blown abroad, to hoodwink the tyrant until he were in his full strength.[55] And this his device he acquainted the Earl withal, at their first meeting, and so together they marched on to Shrewsbury, where the Earl was received with an _Ave_ cheer and "_God speed thee well_," the street being strewed with herbs and flowers, and the doors adorned with green boughs in testimony of a true hearty reception.... From Shrewsbury they went to a small village called Newport, and there Sir George Talbot came unto the Earl with two thousand tall men.... After this for Stafford they go; thence to Lichfield and so to Atherstone, where he and his father-in-law, the Lord Stanley, met and consulted touching the ordering of their affairs, and how to give battle to King Richard, which done they departed each to his charge. [55] The English chroniclers represent Rice as joining Henry for the first time at Shrewsbury. THE EVE OF BOSWORTH (+August, 1485+). =Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., No. 884. _The Duke of Norfolk to John Paston._ _To my well beloved friend, John Paston, be this bill delivered in haste._