Trumpets were blown distractedly , some for a rally , some to charge . It was plain that a great blow had been struck , and the Lancastrians were thrown , at least for the moment , into full disorder , and some degree of panic . And then , like a theatre trick , there followed the last act of Shoreby Battle . The men in front of Richard turned tail , like a dog that has been whistled home , and fled like the wind . At the same moment there came through the market-place a storm of horsemen , fleeing and pursuing , the Lancastrians turning back to strike with the sword , the Yorkists riding them down at the point of the lance . Conspicuous in the mellay , Dick beheld the Crookback . He was already giving a foretaste of that furious valour and skill to cut his way across the ranks of war , which , years afterwards upon the field of Bosworth , and when he was stained with crimes , almost sufficed to change the fortunes of the day and the destiny of the English throne . Evading , striking , riding down , he so forced and so manoeuvred his strong horse , so aptly defended himself , and so liberally scattered death to his opponents , that he was now far ahead of the foremost of his knights , hewing his way , with the truncheon of a bloody sword , to where Lord Risingham was rallying the bravest . A moment more and they had met ; the tall , splendid , and famous warrior against the deformed and sickly boy . Yet Shelton had never a doubt of the result ; and when the fight next opened for a moment , the figure of the earl had disappeared ; but still , in the first of the danger , Crookback Dick was launching his big horse and plying the truncheon of his sword . Thus , by Shelton 's courage in holding the mouth of the street against the first attack , and by the opportune arrival of his seven hundred reinforcements , the lad , who was afterwards to be handed down to the execration of posterity under the name of Richard III. , had won his first considerable fight . CHAPTER IV -- THE SACK OF SHOREBY There was not a foe left within striking distance ; and Dick , as he looked ruefully about him on the remainder of his gallant force , began to count the cost of victory . He was himself , now that the danger was ended , so stiff and sore , so bruised and cut and broken , and , above all , so utterly exhausted by his desperate and unremitting labours in the fight , that he seemed incapable of any fresh exertion . But this was not yet the hour for repose . Shoreby had been taken by assault ; and though an open town , and not in any manner to be charged with the resistance , it was plain that these rough fighters would be not less rough now that the fight was over , and that the more horrid part of war would fall to be enacted . Richard of Gloucester was not the captain to protect the citizens from his infuriated soldiery ; and even if he had the will , it might be questioned if he had the power . It was , therefore , Dick 's business to find and to protect Joanna ; and with that end he looked about him at the faces of his men . The three or four who seemed likeliest to be obedient and to keep sober he drew aside ; and promising them a rich reward and a special recommendation to the duke , led them across the market-place , now empty of horsemen , and into the streets upon the further side . Every here and there small combats of from two to a dozen still raged upon the open street ; here and there a house was being besieged , the defenders throwing out stools and tables on the heads of the assailants . The snow was strewn with arms and corpses ; but except for these partial combats the streets were deserted , and the houses , some standing open , and some shuttered and barricaded , had for the most part ceased to give out smoke .
XXXXX , threading the skirts of these skirmishers , led his followers briskly in the direction of the abbey church ; but when he came the length of the main street , a cry of horror broke from his lips .
Dick English Gloucester Shelton Shoreby Yorkists assault execration storm truncheon