=Source.=--Ellis's _Original Letters_, second series, vol. i., pp.
33, 34. (London: 1827.)
+William Venables and Roger Brescy to the King.+
Most puissant and redoubted liege Lord, we recommend us to your
sovereign Lord in all ways respectful and revered. May it please your
Royal Majesty to understand that Robert Parys, the deputy constable of
Carnarvon Castle, has apprized us through a woman, because there was
no man who dared to come--for neither man nor woman dare carry letters
on account of the rebels of Wales,--that "Oweyn de Glyndour," with
the French and all his other power, is preparing to assault the town
and castle of Carnarvon, and to begin this enterprize with engines,
sowes[3] and ladders of great length; and in the town and castle there
are not in all more than twenty-eight fighting men, which is too small
a force; for eleven of the more able men who were there at the last
siege of the place are dead; some of the wounds they received at the
time of the assault, and others of the plague; so that the said castle
and town are in imminent danger, as the bearer of this will inform
you by word of mouth, to whom your Highness will be pleased to give
full faith and credence, as he can inform you most accurately of the
truth.... Written at Chester the 16th day of January.