Cuthbert himself was with them, Cnut remaining at the grange with the ten men originally sent there.
On the third day Sir Rudolph, with a number of knights and men-at-arms, arrived in the town, giving out that he was passing northwards, but he would abide that night at the hostelry.

A great many of his men-at-arms did, as those on the watch observed, enter one by one into the town.
The people of Worcester were somewhat surprised at this large accompaniment of the earl, but thought no harm.

The Abbess of St.
Anne's, however, was greatly terrified, as she feared that some evil design might be intended against her.

She was, however, reassured in the evening by a message brought by a boy, to the effect that succour would be near, whatsoever happened.
At midnight a sudden uproar was heard in the streets of Worcester.
A party of men fell upon the burgesses guarding the gate of the town, disarmed them, and took possession of it.

At the same time those who had put up at the hostelry with Sir Rudolph suddenly mounted their horses, and with a great clatter rode down the streets to the Convent of St.
Anne.