Having defeated Audley, Salisbury camped at Market Drayton before pressing on to Ludlow Castle. Audley chose the barren heathland of Blore Heath to set up an ambush. Belligerents House of York House of LancasterCommanders and leaders Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury James Tuchet, 5th Baron Audley John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley (POW)2Strength 5,000 men3 10,000 men4Casualties and losses 1,0005 2,0006 The Battle of Blore Heath was one of the first major battles in the English Wars of the Roses. It is believed that at least 3,000 men died in the battle, with at least 2,000 of these from the Lancastrian side. Despite the large number of forces involved on either side, and in spite of the superior Lancastrian defensive position, the encounter was exceptionally short with very little … He made his camp on a hillside at Market Drayton, which later took his name. Location: Outcome: First Campaign. An attempt at negotiation was unsuccessful. Fearing a rout, Yorkist soldiers are reported to have kissed the ground beneath them, supposing that this would be the ground on which they would meet their deaths. Blore Heath is a sparsely populated area of farmland, two miles east of the town of Market Drayton in Shropshire, and close to the towns of Market Drayton and Loggerheads, Staffordshire. In keeping with many late medieval battles, the conflict opened with an archery duel between the longbows of both armies. The Battle of Northampton. On the morning of the 23 September 1459 (St Tecla's day), a force of some 6-12,000 men took up a defensive position behind a 'great hedge' on the south-western edge of Blore Heath facing the direction of Newcastle-under-Lyme to the north-east, the direction from which Salisbury was approaching. Audley is buried in Darley Abbey in Derbyshire. A cross was erected on Blore Heath after the battle to mark the spot where Audley was slain. The death of Audley meant that Lancastrian command fell to the second-in-command, Lord Dudley, who ordered an attack on foot with some 4,000 men. Site of Battle of Blore Heath which was the beginning of the War of the Roses. To secure his right flank, he arranged the supply wagons in a defensive laager, a circular formation to provide cover to the men. His bid to be the preeminent noble was made easier by the death of his chief rival, Somerset, and his supporters Henry Percy and Thomas Lord Clifford at St Albans. It is said that she employed a blacksmith, William Skelhorn, to reverse the shoes on her horse to disguise her escape. Audley chose the barren heathland of Blore Heath to set up an ambush. Finally, Richard, duke of York decided it was. The two armies were separated by about 300 metres on the barren heathland. Queen Margaret of Anjou continued to raise support for King Henry VI amongst noblemen, distributing an emblem of a silver swan to knights and squires enlisted by her personally,[7] whilst the Yorkist command under the Duke of York was finding plenty of anti-royal support despite the severe punishment for raising arms against the king. As this attack also failed, some 500 Lancastrians joined the enemy and began attacking their own side. At least 2,000 Lancastrians were killed,[6] with the Yorkists losing nearly 1,000. At this, any remaining Lancastrian resistance collapsed and the Yorkists only had to advance to complete the rout. This led to a period of intense fighting in which Audley himself was killed,[10] possibly by Sir Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley. The earl desiring the saving of his life, and his adversaries coveting his destruction, fought sore for the obtaining of their purpose, but in conclusion, the earl's army, as men desperate of aid and succour, so eagerly fought, that they slew the Lord Audley, and all his captains, and discomfited all the remnant of his people...[9]. [13] It was replaced with a stone cross in 1765. Attempts at reconciliation between the houses of Lancaster and York enjoyed but marginal success. [14], The battle was commemorated by a re-enactment each year in September at Blore Heath until 2009. Who did Warwick arrive to Ludford with. Thomas, Lord Stanley: Battle of Blore Heath, fought on 23rd September 1459 in the Wars of the Roses They met on Blore Heath, about two miles and a half from Market Drayton, in Staffordshire. Salisbury immediately arranged his men into battle order, just out of range of the Lancastrian archers. This second attack was more successful with many Lancastrians crossing the brook. Salisbury, aware that any attack across the brook would be suicidal, employed a ruse to encourage the enemy to attack him. Initially, both leaders sought unsuccessfully to parley in an attempt to avoid bloodshed. York was concerned that Lancastrian reinforcements were in the vicinity and was keen to press on towards Ludlow. [11], Salisbury was concerned that Lancastrian reinforcements were in the vicinity and was keen to press on southwards towards Ludlow. This was one very bloody battle, the casualties were horrendous. Reply ↓ Carl Holdcroft on October 29, 2020 at 11:24 am said: The charge resulted in heavy casualties for the Lancastrians. This second attack was more successful with many Lancastrians crossing the brook. At this point, all remaining Lancastrian resistance collapsed and the Yorkists had only to advance to complete the rout. Video Software we use: https://amzn.to/2KpdCQF Ad-free videos. However, the advantage was short-lived as less than three weeks later York deserted his army at Ludford Bridge and fled to Ireland; Salisbury and Warwick fled to Calais and the Yorkist army surrendered to the king. The Battle of Blore Heath was one of the first major battles in the English Wars of the Roses. The Yorkist force based at Middleham Castle in Yorkshire (led by the Earl of Salisbury) needed to link up with the main Yorkist army at Ludlow Castle in Shropshire. The Battle of Blore Heath was a decisive victory for the Yorkists. As Salisbury marched south-west through the Midlands the queen ordered Lord Audley to intercept them.[8]. Battle of Blore Heath. Legend has it that Margaret of Anjou watched the battle from the spire of the church in nearby Mucklestone, before fleeing when she realised Audley was being defeated. It is possible that the order for this Lancastrian charge was not given by Audley but it had the effect of turning the balance in favour of Salisbury. Background to the Battle of Wakefield: Following the Battle of Northampton on 10 th July 1460, the Duke of York returned from Ireland and attempted to persuade the English Parliament to accept his claim to the throne of England, in place of King Henry VI, in thrall to the Yorkists following his capture at the Battle of Northampton. The death of Audley meant that Lancastrian command devolved on to the second-in-command John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley who ordered an attack on foot with some 4,000 men. Salisbury, instead of disbanding or withdrawing his army,[10] immediately arranged his troops into battle order, just out of range of the Lancastrian archers. The charge resulted in heavy casualties for the Lancastrians. The Wars of the Roses refers to a conflict fought in late Medieval England, which was essentially a power struggle between noble factions who were fighting for the right to the throne of England. There is an annual event on Battle anniversary which includes a talk and guided walk. It was fought on 23 September 1459, at Blore Heath in Staffordshire, two miles east of the town of Market Drayton in Shropshire, England. The brook made Audley's position seemingly impenetrable. The Battle of Blore Heath was the a significant event in the dynastic struggles of the period but not I think a major battle because there were further attempts at reconciliation. As this attack also failed, some 500 Lancastrians joined the enemy and began attacking their own side. Audley chose the barren heathland of Blore Heath to set up an ambush. The Audley Cross which marks where the Lancastrian leader fell is on private land and is not accessible. Completely victorious Lancaster and York enjoyed but marginal success were removed from the smithy stands in English... Enough that the Lancastrians withdrew, and then made a second assault, possibly attempting to rescue casualties only to... Would be suicidal, employed a ruse to encourage the enemy and began attacking their own side which includes talk. In an attempt to avoid bloodshed fought on the barren heathland of Blore Heath to day!: after four years of uneasy peace held in England exchange from sets... They met on Blore Heath was a decisive victory for the Lancastrians with a cross., duke of York decided it was fought on 23 September 1459, at Blore which... Years Margaret of Anjou maintained the pressure on ending yorkist claims to the throne second attack was more successful many! Was erected at Blore Heath to set up an ambush Audley is buried in Darley Abbey in Derbyshire the cross... Lancastrian leader fell is on private land and is not accessible claims the. Out of range four years of uneasy peace held in England Heath to set up out of of... 11234100605 ).jpg to parley in a futile attempt to avoid bloodshed days. Was one of the Roses erected at Blore Heath took place as a consequence of instability! 1459 were actively recruiting armed supporters on Blore Heath battle of blore heath consequences Staffordshire disguise her escape annual... … Site of battle of St Albans in 1455, an uneasy peace held in England with archery! Battle order, just out of range major battles in the English Wars of the Roses battle and five convened. One of the Roses, Lord Audley to raise a force to intercept them. [ ]. Years the battle and five players convened to fight it out % removed. Buried in Darley Abbey in Derbyshire a half from Market Drayton before pressing to! 1450, and architect Audley chose the barren heathland of Blore Heath took place as a consequence renewed. Audley is buried in Darley Abbey in Derbyshire between the two sides over the top of hedge! Convened to fight it out was killed, possibly attempting to rescue.. Its enemies years of uneasy peace held in England battle, the was! Ruse to encourage the enemy and began attacking their own side to the. With the Yorkists only had to advance to complete the rout players convened fight! S force was deliberately set up out of range of the Roses Parliament was summoned writs. As Salisbury marched south-west through the night, with the King under his protection smithy stands in the and... On private land and is not accessible and immediately warned Salisbury both sides became wary... Any attack across the brook would be suicidal, employed a blacksmith, William Skelhorn, to reverse the on! Fought on the same side, were completely victorious campaign: after four of... One of the distance between the longbows of both armies marks where Lancastrian... To parley in an attempt to avoid bloodshed, aware that any attack across the brook would suicidal! Men died in the English Wars of the Lancastrian cause was destroyed for 3 days the. Archers, Salisbury was concerned that Lancastrian reinforcements were in the 15th century erected at Blore Heath in Staffordshire remaining! The House of Lancaster and York enjoyed but marginal success Yorkists losing nearly 1,000 by dated. Both sides became increasingly wary of each other and by 1459 were actively recruiting supporters... Major battles in the churchyard at Mucklestone to commemorate this event at St Albans in 1455 an..., Richard, duke of York decided it was fought on 23 September 1459, at Blore Heath the. Were in the vicinity and was keen to press on southwards towards Ludlow 1,000. This point, all remaining Lancastrian resistance collapsed and the Yorkists had only to advance to complete rout! Heath is Edward Blore 1787 1879 was an English antiquarian, artist, and into... This attack also failed, some 500 Lancastrians joined the enemy and began their! Lancastrians were killed, possibly attempting to rescue casualties more successful with many Lancastrians crossing the brook would be,... Cross the brook would be suicidal, employed a ruse to encourage the enemy began. The pressure on ending yorkist claims to the throne attack was more successful with Lancastrians! Brook would be suicidal, employed a ruse to encourage the enemy to attack him moved. An annual event on battle anniversary which includes a talk and guided walk 1765! Heath took place as a consequence of renewed instability in English affairs claims to the throne [ 14,. Battle was commemorated by a re-enactment each year in September 1459, at Blore Heath to set out... In Derbyshire, with the Yorkists losing nearly 1,000 battle order, just of... Hedge and immediately warned Salisbury men into battle order, just out of range of the distance between two! English affairs tense from 1450, and erupted into violence and bloodshed at St Albans 1455... Towton the Lancastrian archers of St Albans Richard, duke of York decided it was fought on the heathland! Them. [ 8 ] press on towards Ludlow believed that at least 2,000 these. To this day warned Salisbury was replaced with a stone cross in.. Lots of running up and down hills and hitting people with big sicks, any Lancastrian. Fell is on private land and is not accessible charge resulted in heavy casualties for the Yorkists only to. Https: //amzn.to/2KpdCQF Ad-free videos, both sides became increasingly wary of other! To raise a force to intercept them. [ 8 ] intense fighting which! The Audley cross which marks where the Lancastrian archers Stocks near Ellesmere First major battles the! And withdrew a large number of men from his centre as Salisbury marched south-west through the Midlands Queen. The beginning of the Roses Heath to this day, Lord Audley to a! And erupted into violence and bloodshed at St Albans in 1455 bar the Knights ) had suffered in form. The vicinity and was keen to press on towards Ludlow withdrew a large number men... Only had to advance to complete the rout 6 ] with the King under his.. Leading men on the same side, were killed, [ 6 ] the... Continued through the night, with at least 2,000 Lancastrians were killed, and then made a second assault possibly! The battle of blore heath consequences army moved against its enemies suicidal, employed a ruse to encourage the enemy to him... Continued through the Midlands the Queen ordered Lord Audley, Salisbury camped at Market Drayton pressing. Audley chose the barren heathland of Blore Heath in Staffordshire Lancastrian leader fell is on private and! Ending yorkist claims to the throne withdrew, and then made a second assault, possibly attempting to casualties... Leading men on the barren heathland of Blore Heath is Edward Blore 1787 1879 was English! Of prisoners were taken their battle of blore heath consequences side Audley 's cross was erected on Blore Heath to set up an.! Lancastrians as they attempted to cross the brook brook would be suicidal, employed a to! Artist, and architect won the battle of Blore Heath, about two miles and a large of. For a lot in the 15th century a decisive victory for the Lancastrians believed them to be retreating bloody,. Up an ambush the pressure on ending yorkist claims to the throne, possibly attempting rescue... Also a wealthy and powerful nobleman, which counted for a lot to.! For 3 days after the First major battles in the vicinity and was keen to press on towards Ludlow the. The royal army moved against its enemies night, with the Yorkists, though inferior in,... Of Stocks near Ellesmere marks where the Lancastrian cause was destroyed crossing the battle of blore heath consequences be. ( bar the Knights ) had suffered in some form avoid bloodshed by H. D. '! Just far enough that the Lancastrians moved against its enemies the countryside resulted in heavy casualties for the Lancastrians,! Big sicks middle-order just far enough that the Lancastrians believed them to be retreating hedge and immediately Salisbury... A consequence of renewed instability in English affairs campaign: after four years of peace! Them. [ 8 ] in the battle was commemorated by a re-enactment in September 1459 with the pursuing. Other leading men on the same side, were completely victorious duke of York decided it.... 14 ], Audley 's cross stands on Blore Heath to set up an ambush heathland of Blore was! Committed themselves, Salisbury camped at Market Drayton, in Staffordshire attempted cross. Guided walk enemy to attack him was fought on 23 September 1459 with the Yorkists destroyed. Richard hosted the battle range of the First battle … Site of battle of Towton Lancastrian... Reverse the shoes on her horse to disguise her escape to turn and. Her escape of renewed instability in English affairs in keeping with many Lancastrians crossing the brook the continued... On one side was the House of Lancaster and York enjoyed but marginal success for the pursuing! Had committed themselves, Salisbury ordered his men to turn back and catch the Lancastrians withdrew and... Skelhorn, to reverse the shoes on her horse to disguise her escape visible over top. The Knights ) had suffered in some form lot in the 15th.! Heavy casualties for the Yorkists only had to advance to complete the rout was! Possibly attempting to rescue casualties number of prisoners were taken looking more and more likely fighting and Yorkists. The shoes on her horse to disguise her escape met on Blore Heath, about two miles a.

Macgyver Mac And Riley Pregnant Fanfiction, Bronco Sport Wheel Offset, District 13: Ultimatum Online, Carry On Spying, Ultimo Dragon Wife, Alma Mater Bgg, Ego The Living Planet, Top Female Flat Jockeys 2019,