The letter from King Henry is dated 1543 and is a call to arms to landlords to recruit troops from their tenants to go into battle against the Scots.

BBC: King Henry VIII letter found at Dunham Massey

Maj Spratley said his challenge would be to recruit more troops, keep the ones they had got and prepare them for operational tours.

BBC: Jersey TA unit wants more reserve soldiers

The army, groaning from over-stretch, cannot recruit the number of troops it needs.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot