1460: Key Battles

Question 1

What were the key battles in 1460?

Answer 1

Battle of Northampton
Battle of Wakefield

Question 2

When was the Battle of Northampton? What was the weather like?

Answer 2

10 July 1460
Rainy and stormy

Question 3

Which nobles participated in the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 3

Warwick, March, Salisbury + Fauconberg
vs
Henry VI, Buckingham, Shrewsbury, Grey + Egremont

Question 4

How many men were on either side in the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 4

10,000 Yorkists
vs
5,000 Lancs

Question 5

What happened BEFORE the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 5

1) King’s forces set up at Delapre Abbey, Northampton
2) Warwick requests to see the King 3x and rejected 3x.
3) Yorkists attack at 2pm in response

Question 6

What happened DURING the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 6

1) Due to heavy rain all morning, Lanc artillery didn’t work since the gunpowder was damp
2) Lord Grey defects to Yorkists, allowing Warwick’s forces in (in return for backing of a property dispute and is made Chancellor in 1463)
3) Buckingham, Shrewsbury, Egremont + Beaumont killed
4) Henry VI captured by Warwick

Question 7

What were the consequences of the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 7

• Death of prominent Lanc nobles causes instability and blood feuds
• Capture of Henry VI gives Yorkists large power

Question 8

When was the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 8

30 Dec 1460

Question 9

Which nobles participated in the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 9

York, Rutland, Salisbury, Thomas Neville, Bonville
vs
Somerset, Northumberland, Clifford, Trollope, Devon

Question 10

How many men were on either side in the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 10

9,000 Yorkists
vs
18,000 Lancs

Question 11

What happened BEFORE the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 11

1) Yorkists set up in Sandal Castle, Wakefield
2) Using tactics by Andrew Trollope, 1/2 the Lancs march in the open towards the Castle and 1/2 set up hidden in the trees with Ros
3) For some reason (e.g. expected Christmas truce, lack of supplies, bad tactics etc.) Yorkists leave Castle to confront Lancs

Question 12

What happened DURING the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 12

1) The hidden Lancs surround Yorkists
2) York killed in battle, Rutland killed while fleeing by Lord Clifford (revenge)
3) Salisbury, Bonville and Harrington captured & executed by angry commons after

Question 13

What were the consequences of the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 13

• Death of senior Yorkists further motivates March + Warwick, dynastic now
• death of York = violation of Act of Accord, used by March to justify claim to throne