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Page 119
Geoffrey drew a deep breath and looked at the older men who surrounded him. There was nothing in their faces that aroused any hope that someone would protest this insanity. He realized with a sinking heart that no one thought ill of the king's plan. There had not been a war in Walesnot a real war of English against Welshsince the time of old King Henry. There had been only that punitive expedition that Ian's lord, Sir Simon, had carried out nearly twenty years past. Few remembered that. If they remembered at all, it was that John had marched a large army into the country, and not far in, and Rhys apGruffydd had come and done homage.
For an ordinary campaign against a foe obviously much weaker than oneself, there was considerable merit in John's proposal. There was little sense in laying waste strongholds that did not threaten one's own forces. There was kindness and political good sense in not ravaging the land unnecessarily. Unfortunately, none of these reasonable notions appeared to apply to Wales. Of two things Geoffrey was sure: No army would ever catch Lord Llewelyn aplowerth among the forests and mountains of Wales; no challenge would ever tempt him into a pitched battle against a stronger enemy. But the men who had the experience and authority to raise these points were not present. Braose was in exile in France. Mortimer was sitting sullenly on his own land in the south with the excuse that a war in the north would start war in the south also. Actually, Mortimer would not take up arms against the kingnot after what had happened to Braose for just speaking a little too freelybut if he had a preference it was that Llewelyn should rule Wales rather than John. Geoffrey FitzPeter, who had conducted a short campaign against Llewelyn's grandfather in 1198 was attending to his duties as justiciar in England. Pembroke and Ian were in Ireland.
Other voices besides John's had been raised, but these were largely in speculation as to where Llewelyn was most likely to make his stand. Geoffrey drew another deep breath. His age and lack of experience bade him stand still and listen to his elders and betters. That, however, was not

 
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