HISTORY OF KINO HENRY VII. 333 



the city of London, and the fair valley about it ; the 

 king knowing well, that it stood him upon, by how 

 much the more he had hitherto protracted the time 

 in not encountering them, by so much the sooner to 

 dispatch with them, that it might appear to have 

 been no coldness in fore-slowing, but wisdom in 

 choosing his time ; resolved with all speed to assail 

 them, and yet with that providence and surety, as 

 should leave little to venture or fortune. And having 

 very great and puissant forces about him, the better 

 to master all events and accidents, he divided them 

 into three parts ; the first was led by the Earl of 

 Oxford in chief, assisted by the earls of Essex and 

 Suffolk. These noblemen were appointed, with 

 some cornets of horse, and bands of foot, and good 

 store of artillery, wheeling about to put themselves 

 beyond the hill where the rebels were encamped ; 

 and to beset all the skirts and descents thereof, 

 except those that lay towards London ; thereby to 

 have these wild beasts, as it were, in a toil. The 

 second part of his forces, which were those that were 

 to be most in action, and upon which he relied most 

 for the fortune of the day, he did assign to be led by 

 the lord chamberlain, who was appointed to set upon 

 the rebels in front, from that side which is towards 

 London. The third part of his forces, being like 

 wise great and brave forces, he retained about 

 himself, to be ready upon all events to restore the 

 fight, or consummate the victory ; and mean while 

 to secure the city. And for that purpose he en 

 camped in person in Saint George s Fields, putting 



