Thus it befell that , when Richard of Gloucester reached the first house of Shoreby , he was met in the mouth of the street by a mere handful of lances , whom he swept before his onset as the storm chases the bark . A hundred paces into the town , Dick Shelton touched the duke 's arm ; the duke , in answer , gathered his reins , put the shrill trumpet to his mouth , and blowing a concerted point , turned to the right hand out of the direct advance . Swerving like a single rider , his whole command turned after him , and , still at the full gallop of the chargers , swept up the narrow bye-street . Only the last score of riders drew rein and faced about in the entrance ; the footmen , whom they carried behind them , leapt at the same instant to the earth , and began , some to bend their bows , and others to break into and secure the houses upon either hand . Surprised at this sudden change of direction , and daunted by the firm front of the rear-guard , the few Lancastrians , after a momentary consultation , turned and rode farther into town to seek for reinforcements . The quarter of the town upon which , by the advice of Dick , Richard of Gloucester had now seized , consisted of five small streets of poor and ill-inhabited houses , occupying a very gentle eminence , and lying open towards the back . The five streets being each secured by a good guard , the reserve would thus occupy the centre , out of shot , and yet ready to carry aid wherever it was needed . Such was the poorness of the neighbourhood that none of the Lancastrian lords , and but few of their retainers , had been lodged therein ; and the inhabitants , with one accord , deserted their houses and fled , squalling , along the streets or over garden walls . In the centre , where the five ways all met , a somewhat ill-favoured alehouse displayed the sign of the Chequers ; and here the Duke of Gloucester chose his headquarters for the day . To Dick he assigned the guard of one of the five streets . `` Go , '' he said , `` win your spurs . Win glory for me : one Richard for another . I tell you , if I rise , ye shall rise by the same ladder . Go , '' he added , shaking him by the hand . But , as soon as Dick was gone , he turned to a little shabby archer at his elbow . `` Go , Dutton , and that right speedily , '' he added . `` Follow that lad . If ye find him faithful , ye answer for his safety , a head for a head . Woe unto you , if ye return without him ! But if he be faithless -- or , for one instant , ye misdoubt him -- stab him from behind . ''
In the meanwhile XXXXX hastened to secure his post .
Dick Gloucester Lancastrians Richard Shelton Shoreby archer footmen poorness storm