two o'clock in the afternoon
Francis , who was at this time twenty-five years old , was accompanied by his elder brother , John , and his two younger brothers , Robert and Horace , and by many other friends ; and it was a gay train that cantered down the valley of the Colne to Colchester . That ancient town was all astir . Gentlemen had ridden in from all the country seats and manors for many miles round , and the quiet streets were alive with people . At two o'clock in the afternoon news arrived that the earl was approaching , and , headed by the bailiffs of the town in scarlet gowns , the multitude moved out to meet the earl on the Lexden road . Presently a long train was seen approaching ; for with Leicester were the Earl of Essex , Lords North and Audley , Sir William Russell , Sir Thomas Shirley , and other volunteers , to the number of five hundred horse . All were gaily attired and caparisoned , and the cortege presented a most brilliant appearance . The multitude cheered lustily , the bailiffs presented an address , and followed by his own train and by the gentlemen who had assembled to meet him , the earl rode into the town .