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Page 68
Monmouth was not isolated. There were major strong points held by Poitevin adherents of the king close by: Grosmont, less than sixteen miles up the river Monmow; Goodrich, about eight miles across the Wye Valley; and less than twenty-five miles to the west, Gloucester, where the king himself remained, boiling and fuming over the injuries done him. If Monmouth could be taken swiftly by assault, it would be a heavy blow against Henry; however, a siege would probably result in the besiegers themselves being surrounded by the king's forces.
The second problem, which neither Walter nor Richard mentioned but was certainly at the back of each their minds, was that it was very doubtful that Prince Llewelyn could be induced to aid in any attack on Monmouth. Llewelyn's lands lay in north Wales. Doubtless the Lord of Gwynedd wished to strike a blow that would further embarass Henry's ministers and aid Richard, but he was less eager to rid south Wales of royal influence than to make a profit out of the enterprise. The probability was that if Richard wished to take Monmouth, he would have to do it with the forces at his disposal and with such aid from the Welsh in raiding and harassing the king's forces as had previously been accorded him. If he wanted full cooperation, like that at Grosmont, an objective more suitable to Prince Llewelyn's purpose would have to be chosen.

 
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