A battle was impending.

Sir Daniel had sent for every man that could draw a bow or carry a bill to go post-haste to Kettley, under pain of his severe displeasure; but for whom they were to fight, or of where the battle was expected, Dick knew nothing.

Sir Oliver would come shortly himself, and Bennet Hatch was arming at that moment, for he it was who should lead the party.
"It is the ruin of this kind land," a woman said.

"If the barons live at war, ploughfolk must eat roots." "Nay," said Dick, "every man that follows shall have sixpence a day, and archers twelve." "If they live," returned the woman, "that may very well be; but how if they die, my master ?" "They cannot better die than for their natural lord," said Dick.
"No natural lord of mine," said the man in the smock.

"I followed the Walsinghams; so we all did down Brierly way, till two years ago, come Candlemas.