ABSTRACT
Humphry Arundell might be immobilised by the gallant defence of Exeter, but equally Russell could do nothing except look on impotently while awaiting reinforcements. Such force as he had brought with him was pitifully small: his personal retinue together with a handful of West country gentlemen and their servants who had rallied to his standard. Sir William Paget was hopeful of obtaining advantageous terms, since war between France and the Empire appeared imminent, but as England more and more gave the appearance of relapsing into civil war her value as an ally slumped. In the face of violence proclamations were worse than useless: mere words would not turn the Somerset men from their treasonable ways and rally them to his standard, even though he had dealt with the ringleaders and hanged an agent of Arundell’s caught trying to incite rebellion.
