He was on the point of setting out for the place of embarkation before the English government was at all aware of the danger which was impending.
It had been long known indeed that many thousands of Irish were assembled in Normandy; but it was supposed that they had been assembled merely that they might be mustered and drilled before they were sent to Flanders, Piedmont, and Catalonia.

[254] Now, however, intelligence, arriving from many quarters, left no doubt that an invasion would be almost immediately attempted.

Vigorous preparations for defence were made.

The equipping and manning of the ships was urged forward with vigour.

The regular troops were drawn together between London and the sea.