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be drawn up the often trackless hills. There were few farms to raid so the army could not live off the land and would starve. And in the ravines and narrow dells, small forces of Welsh could launch surprise attacks that eventually broke the soldiers' morale because the Welsh could slip away into the forests they knew so well before reprisals could be made. |
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Richard was a brilliant military strategist, but the strategy that could beat the Welsh necessitated a new kind of fighting, a kind he would consider petty and unchivalrous. He was not, in addition, likely to ask for advice from men whom he wished to impress with his ability. Therefore, the connection of Richard and Wales spelled disaster in the Queen's mind. Her impression was reinforced by the haste with which Simon came to her support. Apparently he too felt that Richard should stay well away from Wales. |
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When the Queen and Simon leapt hurriedly into the breach William Braose was making in the wall of silence surrounding King Henry's defeat by the Welsh, John ground his teeth. He well knew the effect that disclosure would have upon his brother and nothing would have given him greater pleasure than seeing Richard soundly trounced by the wild, uncivilized hillmen of Wales. If they succeeded in killing Richard, his pleasure would be even greater. Unfortunately he dared not supply the information himself for three reasons. First, Richardalthough not too clevermight realize he was being baited. Second, his motherwho was altogether too cleverwould most certainly recognize what he was doing. Third, John was aware that he had played an exceptionally ignominious role in the Welsh campaign his father had lost. His mother might publicly place all the blame for the failure on him so that her dearly beloved Richard would not feel a desire to accomplish more than his father could. Richard, John thought, his hate so thick it nearly smothered him, would scorn to win a campaign his brother had lost. |
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