4th May 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury

On 04 May 1471 King Edward IV of England (age 29) was victorious at the 4th May 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury. His brother Richard (age 18), Richard Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Powick (age 36), John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46), George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny (age 31), John Savage (age 49), John Savage (age 27), Thomas St Leger (age 31), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 45), Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 40) fought. William Brandon (age 46), George Browne (age 31), Ralph Hastings, Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 38), James Tyrrell (age 16), Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 38) were knighted. William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 40) commanded.

Margaret of Anjou (age 41) was captured. Her son Edward of Westminster Prince of Wales (age 17) was killed. He was the last of the Lancastrian line excluding the illegitmate Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 11) whose line continues to the present.

John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was killed and attainted. Earl Devon, Baron Courtenay forfeit. Some sources refer to these titles as being abeyant?

John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 71) was killed. Baron Wenlock extinct.

John Delves (age 49), John Beaufort (age 30), William Vaux of Harrowden (age 35) and Robert Whittingham (age 42) were killed.

Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 32), Humphrey Tuchet (age 37) and Hugh Courtenay (age 44) were captured.

Henry Roos fought and escaped to Tewkesbury Abbey [Map] where he sought sanctuary. He was subsequently pardoned.

William Carey (age 34) was killed.

Paston Letters Volume 5 782. 04 May 1471. 777. The Battle of Tewkesbury¹.

Ded in the Feld. Edward that was called Prynce Lord John of Somerset. Erle of Devenshire. Lord Wenlok. Sir William Vause Sir Edmond Harnden. Sir John Seymour. Sir William Bermoth. Water Barrow. Mr. William Henmar. Mr. Feldyng². Hervy, recorder³. Mr. Herry, capteyn of Brystowe. Sir Roberte Whetyngham. Knoyll.

Thes be men that were heveded. The Duke of Somerset. The Lord of Sent Jones⁴. Sir Jerveys Clyfton. Humfrey Awdeley. Lowes Miles. Forey of Fraunce. Sir John Delvys⁵. Lord Foskew on lyffe. Sir William Carre. Sir Hew Courteney. Sir Thomas Tressham. Sir Herry Tressham. Sir William Newbery. Mr. Gower⁶. Mr. Awdeley⁷. Robert Clerke. Lechefeld, mason of W estmynster. Sir William Grymesby yet on lyffe.

Thes be the Knyghtes that the Kyng mad in the Feld. Lord Cobham. Sir George Nevel. Sir Philip Courtenay. Sir Herry Bemonde. Sir Moreys of Barkley. Sir Richard H astynges. Sir Roberte Haryngton. Sir Thomas Gray. Sir James Terell. Sir John Feres. Sir Herry F eres. Sir Berry Purpeynt. Sir John Parre. Sir John Downe. Sir Roger Kyngstone. Sir John Crokere. Sir - Skerne. Sir James Crowmere. Sir William Sandalle. Sir John Deverys. Sir Herry Grey. Sir Edward Wodehous. Sir Richard Croft. Sir John Pylkyngton. Sir John Byngham. Sir John Harley. Sir John Boteler. Sir Christofer Morysby. Sir John Clay. Sir Robert Wylleby. Sir Robert Grene. Sir Roger Ree. Sir Richard Radc1yffe. Sir John Saundes. Sir Thomas Strikelande. Sir George Browne. Sir William Motton. Sir Tery Robsert. Sir Thomas Cromewell. Sir Robert Corbet. Sir Nicholas Langford. Sir John Seyntlowe. Sir William Brandon.

Note 1. [From MS. Phillipps 9735, No. 279.] This paper is in a contemporary handwriting, and undoubtedly refers to the battle of Tewkesbury.

Note 2. Sir William Fielding, according to Warkworth's Chronicle.

Note 3. These words, 'Hervy, recorder; are written over' Herry, capteyn; as a correction; but the latter are not erased. Warkworth mentions Sir Nicholas Hervy.

Note 4. Sir John Longstruther, Prior of St. John's.

Note 5. OriginaHy written' Mr. Delvys; and corrected.

Note 6. James Gower, according to Warkworth.

Note 7. Sir Humphrey Audeley.

English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century Appendix 14. Also, in the same year, on the third day before the Nones of May (04 May 1471), namely on the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, Edward, son of King Henry VI and Prince, came to Tewkesbury with a great army. On the following day, he entered the large field called Gaston, where King Edward IV arrived with his army and killed the said Prince Edward in the aforementioned field. There too were John Somerset, brother of the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Devonshire, and Lord Wenlock, who were all killed along with many others. The army of the said King Edward IV, in a frenzy, entered the monastery [Map] and town of Tewkesbury, plundered many, and stole goods from the monastery. Some violently entered the church and killed and slaughtered the wretched soldiers of the said Prince, both in the cemetery and even inside the church. Because of this act, the church was desecrated, and so no Mass nor any other divine office was celebrated there for nearly a month. The church and cemetery were reconciled by a suffragan of the Bishop of Worcester on the third day before the Kalends of June (i.e. May 30), about five days before Pentecost, at the expense of the monastery. Those who were beheaded at the High Cross of the town of Tewkesbury included: The Duke of Somerset, The Lord and Prior of St. John’s in London, Sir Thomas Tresham, John Delves, son of John Delves the elder (who had been killed in the field), James Audley, brother of Lord Audley, After King Edward had won the victory in the field called Gaston, and entered the monastery and town, he remained there for four days, during which many wrongs were committed.

Item eodem anno iij non. may sequente, uidelicet in festo inuencionis sancte crucis, uenit Tewkesburie Edwardus Henrici sexti regis filius et princeps cum grande exercitu, et in crastino intrauit grandem campum ubi uocatur Gastum, Vbi Rex Edwardus iiij cum suo exercitu aduenienspredictumprincipem Edwardumoccidit in campo predicto, vbi eciara Johannes Somerset frater ducis de Somerset, Comes de devonshire et dominus de Wenloke cum multis aliis interfecti fuerunt. Exercitus vbi predicti regis Edwardi iiij furiosi in monasterium et in villam de Tewks. intrantes spoliauerunt quamplurimos et abstulerunt bona monasterii, et quidam ecclesiam intrantes violente manu et miseros de exercitu predicti principis necarunt et occiderunt quam in cimiterio quam eciam in ecclesia, ex quo facto polluta est ecclesia : sic stante quia nee misse nee aliud diuinum officium ibi fire [fere?] per vnum mensem agerentur. Et reconciliata est ecclesia item cum cimiterio per dompnum suffragane episcopi Wigornia iij Kalleds Jun. vij fere v. ante pentecost ex sumptu monasterii. Isti vero capite truncati sunt ad altam crucem ville Tewks. Postquam vero victoriam optinuit predictus rex Edwardus in campo illo uocatur Gastum, et monasterium ac uillam cum suis intrant, mansit iiij dies fer.¹ : vbi multa dampna perpetrata sunt. Vbi eciam capti sunt dux de Somerset, dominus et prior sancti Johannis apud London., Thomas Trissam, miles, Johannes delues filius lobannis delvis senioris, qui in campo occisus fuit, James Audeley frater domini de Audeley,

Note 1. Perhaps for 'ferias'.

Chronicle of Jean de Waurin. The battle began, initiated by the King's archers, who launched a heavy assault against their enemies, who valiantly defended themselves against both artillery fire and arrows. At the front of their battlefield, there were deep ditches, embankments, and bushes, making it difficult for the King's forces to approach them directly. But Edmund (age 32), known as the Duke of Somerset, who on that day led the vanguard, along with his companions, feeling troubled in that place and dismayed by the dense barrage of arrows raining down on them, or driven by great courage and bravery that overshadowed their fear, ventured out of their enclosure, seeing that no one noticed their departure, they came through a small stream and organized themselves neatly opposite the King's battle line, where they initiated a truly remarkable assault. The King bravely met their attack, and through his valour, skill, and the true assurance of his companions, he entered their enclosure, gaining control of it by force of arms, so much so that his enemies were forced to retreat from the hill.

Et la commencerent la bataille les archiers du roy, qui a leurs annemis donnerent ung moult pesant assault, lesquelz vaillamment se deffendirent, tant de trait dengins comme de sajettes; et si avoit au front de leur parcq parfons fossez, bayes et buissons, parquoy ilz estoient maul vais a eulz aprochier main a main. Mais Emond, appele duc de Sombresset, qui pour ce jour estoit conducteur de ladvantgarde, lui et ses compaignons ennuyez en celle place ou espoventez du trait qui moult dru cheoit sur eulz, ou par grant hardiesse et corage quy les sourmontoit, issirent hors de leur parcq, et lors, voiant que nul ne se aperchevoit de leur issue, sen vindrent parmy une ruyelle mettre en belle ordonnance droit a loposite de la bataille du roy, ou ilz commencerent ung tres merveilleux estour; ou le roy moult courageusement le recheut et tant fist par sa vaillance et proesse et la vraye asseurance de ceulz de sa compaignie quil entra dedens lenclos, guaignant par force darmes lenclos et fosse, tant que constrainte fut a ses annemis eulz retraire de la montaigne.

Chronicle of Jean de Waurin. It is to be remembered that when the King arrived before the said enclosure, he observed, before launching an attack, that to the right-hand side of this fort there was a very thick forest, within which he suspected his enemies had set up a large ambush. For this reason, he selected two hundred of the best lancers from his army, to whom he ordered to advance towards the ridge of this forest, keeping an eye on it, and if necessary, to engage there and do their duty well. And if they did not see any signs of an ambush, they were to return to the battle and strike against their enemies with the greatest advantage they could find. This provision came just in time, as perfectly as possible, for the two hundred aforementioned lancers, after having traversed a distance along the edge of the woods and seeing no signs of an ambush, were able to employ themselves elsewhere, and they struck against the Duke of Somerset (age 32) and his company so effectively that, by their attack, and the valour of King Edward, who was assaulting them with his battle from the other side as you have heard, the said Somerset and all the vanguard he led were compelled to flee, resulting in a great slaughter during their retreat.

Icy est a remembrer que quant le roy fut venu devant ledit parcq, il considera, avant quil les assaillist, que a la droite main de ce fort avoit ung bois moult espes, dedens lequel il pensoit ses annemis avoir mis une grosse embusche; pour laquele cause il choisy deux cens lances des meilleurs de son ost, ausquelz il commanda eulz traire sur la costiere de ce bois, aians illec tousjours leuil, et que se necessite estoit ilz se y emploiassent et feissent bien leur debvoir; et en cas quilz ne veissent quelque aparence dembusche, quilz retournassent vers la bataille et que en le plus grant advantage quilz porroient frappassent sur leurs annemis. Laquele provision vint aussi bien a point que possible estoit, car les deux cens lances devant dites, depuis quilz eussent une espace costoie le bois, et que nulle aparence dembusche ny veoient, parchevans ou bien emploier se porroient autre part, frapperent sur le duc de Sombresset et sa compaignie telement que, par leur emprinse, et la vaillance du roy Edouard, qui atout sa bataille les assailloit de lautre coste comme oy avez, ledit de Sombresset et toute ladvangarde quil menoit furent constrains de fuyr, en laquele fuite fut faite grant occision.

Chronicle of Jean de Waurin. All these things being thus done and completed, the King made his way to the abbey to give thanks and praises to God for the beautiful victory that had been granted to him this day. There he was received and escorted in a procession to the grand altar, where he made his offerings and devotions. In this abbey, several rebels to the King who had been at the battle had taken refuge, hoping to be safe there. However, the King could have easily expelled them from the abbey and executed them as traitors, as in such cases no concession or immunity was observed. Nevertheless, out of reverence for the Holy Trinity, the glorious Virgin Mary, and the true martyr Saint George, he left them without inflicting any bodily harm. And so, out of the aforementioned reverence, he commanded that the body of Edward, called the Prince of Wales, as well as the bodies of the lords who had been killed in the battle, be buried, and their funeral rites performed thereafter.

Toutes lesqueles choses ainsi faites el achevees, le roy se tyra vers labaye pour rendre graces et loenges a Dieu de la belle victore que ce jour luy avoit eslargie, ou il fut recheu et convoie a procession jusques au grant autel, ou il fist ses offrandes et devotion. En ceste abbaye estoient venus en francise plusieurs rebelles au roy qui a la bataille avoient este, esperans illec estre en sceurete; mais toutesvoies le roy les eust bien peu faire tyrer de la dite abaye et, comme trahittres a luy, faire executer, car en tel cas nestoit tenue, observee ne gardee quelconcque francise; mais a la reverence de la benoite Trinite, de la glorieuse vierge Marie et du vray martir monseigneur Saint George les laissa sans aulcun corporel mal faire; et ainsi, par la reverence devant dite, commanda que le corpz Edouard appele prince de Galles et aussi les corpz des seigneurs quy avoient este occis en la bataille feussent ensepvelis, et aprez leurs obseques fais.

Memoirs of Philip de Commines Book 3 Chapter VII. 04 May 1471. As soon as King Edward had obtained this victory, he marched against the Prince of Wales, and there he had another great battle¹; for though the Prince of Wales's army was more numerous than the king's, yet King Edward got the victory; and the Prince of Wales (age 17)², several other great lords, and a great number of common soldiers, were killed upon the spot, and the Duke of Somerset, being taken, was beheaded the next day. In eleven days the Earl of Warwick had gained the whole kingdom of England, or at least reduced it to his obedience. In twenty-one days King Edward recovered it again, but it cost him two great and desperate battles to regain it. And thus you have an account of the revolutions of England. King Edward caused numbers of persons to be put to death in many places, especially those that were guilty of any confederacy against him. Of all nations in the world, the English are most inclined to such battles. After this fight. King Edward enjoyed continual peace till his death, yet not without some troubles and afflictions of mind; but I shall forbear saying any more about English affairs, till I can do it more conveniently in another place.

Note 1. This battle was fought near Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, on the 4th of May, 1471.

Note 2. "Queen Margaret and her son," says Hume, "were taken prisoners, and brought to the king, who asked the prince, in an insulting manner, how he dared to invade his dominions? The young prince, more mindful of his high birth than of his present fortune, replied that he came thither to claim his just inheritance. The ungenerous Edward, insensible to pity, struck him on the face with his gauntlet: and the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, Lord Hastings, and Sir Thomas Gray, taking the blow as a signal for further violence, hurried the prince into the next apartment, and there despatched him with their daggers." Commines says erroneously that he fell on the field.

History of the Arrival of Edward IV Part 4. 04 May 1471. Upon the morow followynge, Saterday, the iiij. day of May, [the Kynge] apparailed hymselfe, and all his hoost set in good array; ordeined three wards;displayed his bannars; dyd blowe up the trompets; sommytted his caws and qwarell to Almyghty God, to owr most blessyd lady his mothar, Vyrgyn Mary, the glroious martyr, Seint George, and all the sayts; and avaunced, directly upon his enemyes; approchinge to theyr filde, whiche was strongly in a marvaylows grownd pyght, full difficult to be assayled. Netheles the Kyngs ordinaunce was so conveniently layde afore them, and his vawarde so sore oppressyd them, with shott of arrows, that they gave them right-a-ahrpe shwre. Also they dyd agayne-ward to them, bothe with shot of arrows and gonnes, whereof noethes they ne had not so great plenty as had the Kynge. In front of theyr field were so evell lanes, and depe dykes, so many hedges, trees, and busshes, that it was right hard to approche them nere, and come to hands; but Edmond, called Duke of Somarset, having that day the vawarde, withar it were for that he and his fellowshipe were sore annoyed in the place where they were, as well with gonnes-shott, as with shot of arrows, which they ne wowld not durst abyde, or els, of great harte and corage, knyghtly and manly avauncyd hymselfe, with his fellowshipe, womewhat asyde-hande the Kyngs vawarde, and, by certayne pathes and wayes therefore afore purveyed, and to the Kyngs party unknowne, he departyd out of the field, passyd a lane, and came to a fayre place, or cloos, even afore the Kynge where he was enbatteled and, from the hill that was in that one of⁴² the closes, he set right fiercely upon th'end of the Kyngs battayle. The Kynge, full manly, set forthe even upon them, enteryd and wann the dyke, and hedge, upon them, into the cloose, and, with great violence, put them upe towards the hyll, and, so also, the Kyng's vaward, being in the rule of the Duke of Gloucestar.

Note 42. one of; on in, in MS.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 04 May 1471? And when the Kynge herd that they were landede, and hade gaderede so myche peple, he toke alle his hoste, and went oute of Londone the wennysday in Ester weke, and manly toke his waye towarde them; and Prynce Edwarde herd therof; he hastede hym self and alle his oste towarde the towne of Glouceter, but he enteryd noʒt into the towne, but held forthe his wey to the towne of Teukesbury, and ther he made a felde¹ noʒt ferre from the ryver of Saverne; and Kynge Edwarde and his oste came uppone hym, the saturday the fourth day of Maij, the yere aforeseide of oure Lorde a M^l. cccclxxj., and the xj yere of Kynge Edwarde. And Edmunde Duke of Somersett, and Sere Hugh Curteneye, went oute of the felde, by the whiche the felde was broken; and the moste parte of the peple fledde awaye from the Prynce, by the whiche the feld was loste in hire party.²And ther was slayne in the felde, Prynce Edward (age 17)³, whiche cryede for socoure to his brother-in-lawe the Duke of Clarence. Also ther was slayne, Curteney the Earl of Devynschyre, the Lorde Jhon of Somersett, the Lorde Wenloke, Sere Edmunde Hampden, Sere Robart Whytyngham, Sere William Vaus, Sere Nicholas Hervy, Sere Jhon Delvis, Sere William Feldynge, Sere Thomas Fiztharry, Sere Jhon Leukenore, knyghtes; and these were taken and behedede afterwarde, where the Kynge hade pardoned them in the abbey cherche of Teukesbury, by a prest that turnyd oute at his messe and the sacrament in his handys, whanne Kynge Edwarde came with his swerde into the chirche, requyrede him by the vertu of the sacrament that he schulde pardone alle tho whos names here folowe; the Duke of Somersett, the Lorde of Seynt Jhones, Sere Humfrey Audeley, Sere Gervis of Clyftone, Sere William Gremyby, Sere William Cary, Sere Thomas Tresham, Sere William Newbrugh, knyghtes, Herry Tresham, Walter Curtenay, Jhon Florey, Lowes Myles, Robart Jacksone, James Gowere, James Delvis, sonne and heire to Sere Jhon Delvis; whiche, uppone trust of the Kynges pardone yevene in the same chirche the saturday, abode ther stille, where they might have gone and savyd ther lyves; whiche one monday after were behedede⁴, noʒtwhitstondynge the Kynges pardone⁵.

Note 1. And ther he made a felde. The place where the battle of Tewkesbury was fought is now called Glaston Meadow. - Rudder's History of Gloucestershire, p. 736. I have been further assured that this field is now called the Bloody-Field by the common people living near the spot.

Note 2. Cf. Memoires Olivier de la Marche. Edit. Brux. 1616, p. 502.

Note 3. And there was slayne in the felde Prynce Edward.- "[Slain at Tewkesbury by King Edward the Fourth.]. Rot. Harl. C. 7, Memb. 5.

Note 4. The Prior of St. John's in Smithfield was among them.-MS. Arund. Coll. Arm. 5, fol. 171, vº.

Note 5. Notwithstondynge the Kynges pardon. Edward's policy was despotic in the extreme; he told De Comines that it was his object to spare the common people, but cut off the gentry. The destruction of these noblemen and gentlemen was an awful example of his barbarity, as well as his deficiency of common honesty.

John Lelands Itinerary Volume 6. Names of those killed at the battle of Gaston near Tewskebury.

Prince Edward was buried in the monastery of Tewkesbury.

Lord Edmund, Duke of Somerset, was captured and beheaded, and was buried there.

Lord John of Somerset, brother of Duke Edmund, was also buried there.

Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon, was buried there.

Lord Wenlock, whose body was later transferred elsewhere for burial.

Humphrey Handleley was beheaded with Thomas Courtenay and buried with him.

Edmund Howard, knight.

William Wichingham, knight.

Sir Delves the elder was killed in the field, and John Delves his son was beheaded there; they were buried together, later transferred elsewhere.

Sir John Leukenor, knight, was killed in the field and buried near the Delves.

Sir William Vaux, knight, was killed in the field and buried there.

Gervase Clifton was captured and beheaded, and buried there.

Sir William Carr and Sir Henry Roos, knights, were captured and beheaded. They were buried in the cemetery of Tewkesbury.

Sir Thomas Tresham was captured and beheaded, and buried there.

Sir William Lirmouthe, Sir John Urman, Sir Thomas Semar, and Sir William Rowys, knights, were killed in the field and buried there in the cemetery.

Sir William Newborough, knight, was captured and beheaded, and buried there.

Henry Wateley, esquire, was killed and buried there.

Henry Barow, esquire, was killed and buried there.

Fielding, esquire, was killed and buried there.

John Gower, standard-bearer of Prince Edward; John Flore, banner-bearer of the Duke of Somerset; Henry Tresham, Walter Courtenay, and Robert Acton were captured and beheaded.

The Prior of St. John’s, London, was captured and beheaded; his body was brought back to London to his own people.

Archaeologia Volume 21 Section III Chapter IV. Here follow the Names of those who were killed at the last Battle which took place at Tewksbury, the 4th of May 1471.

First;

Edward, called Prince of Wales,

Sir John of Somerset,

The Lord of Weneloch,

Sir Edmund Hampden,

Sir John Wellenor,

Sir William Roos,

Sir John Delues,

Sir William de Vauby,

Sir William Fildind,

Sir Robert Wininguem,

Sir Nycolas Herby, and several others, making a thousand.

Here follow the Names of those who were beheaded. First

The Duke of Somerset,

Sir William Votary,

The Prior of St. John, called Sir John Longhenstod,

Sir Gervase Clifton,

Henry Tresham,

John Delues,

Walter Courtnay,

Loys Mills,

John Flory,

Robert Jackson,

John Sowen,

Sir Thomas Tresham,

Sir William Webingh,

Sir Hunerefry,

William Grynnsby, judged to death, and pardoned.