[Unimportant], trifling, of no consequence.
[Remote], far off, out of the way.
[Recognise], to know.
[Prostrate], down on hands and knees.
[Barons], lords.
[Ambush], or ambuscade, an unexpected attack from a hiding place.
[Reverses], misfortunes.
[Surrender], to give up.
[Vigilant], watchful.
[Truce], an agreement for peace for a while.