When Oswald Forster is taken into Henry Percy’s household as a squire, his efficiency and discretion as a message-bearer, as well as his newly-gained ability to read and write, gain him Hotspur’s confidence, and he becomes a go-between for several very sensitive communications between the Percys and their allies. He takes part in a raid against Glendower, rescues his girl cousins, Jessie and Janet, from captivity by the Bairds, is knighted by King Henry for his loyal service, is captured by Glendower—with surprising consequences—and finally, participates in the fateful battle at Shrewsbury in which Hotspur takes his forces against the king’s army.