Edward's first reign and readeption 1461-71 Flashcards
Summarise the battle of Barnet 14th April 1471
Context: Wars of the Roses – Edward IV sought to reclaim the throne from Henry VI after Warwick restored Lancastrian rule.
Key Figures:
Yorkists: Edward IV; Richard, Duke of Gloucester (future Richard III).
Lancastrians: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick; John de Vere, Earl of Oxford.
Location: Barnet, north of London.
Events:
Edward IV launched a surprise attack in thick fog.
Fierce hand-to-hand combat; fog caused confusion among Lancastrians.
Lancastrians mistakenly attacked their own forces, leading to panic.
Warwick’s army collapsed; Warwick and his brother Montagu were killed.
Outcome:
Decisive Yorkist victory.
Warwick, the powerful “Kingmaker,” was eliminated.
Strengthened Edward IV’s hold on the throne.
Set the stage for the final Lancastrian defeat at Tewkesbury (4th May 1471).
Summarise the battle of Edgecote 26th July 1469
Context: Wars of the Roses – rebellion against Edward IV, led by supporters of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
Key Figures:
Yorkists: William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke; Humphrey Stafford.
Rebels (Lancastrian/Warwick-aligned): Robin of Redesdale (likely Sir John Conyers).
Location: Edgecote Moor, Northamptonshire.
Events:
Warwick’s rebel forces, under Redesdale, intercepted Pembroke’s Yorkist army.
Initial Yorkist success, but Welsh reinforcements failed to arrive.
Warwick’s men raised a Lancastrian battle cry, confusing and demoralizing Yorkists.
Rebel counterattack overwhelmed Pembroke’s forces.
Outcome:
Decisive rebel victory.
Pembroke and Stafford captured and executed.
Edward IV briefly imprisoned by Warwick.
Weakened Edward’s authority but failed to permanently restore Lancastrian rule.
Summarise the battle of Losecote field 12th March 1470
Context: Part of the Wars of the Roses; a failed rebellion against Edward IV led by Warwick and Clarence.
Key Figures:
Yorkists: King Edward IV.
Rebels: Sir Robert Welles; Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick (behind the rebellion); George, Duke of Clarence.
Location: Near Empingham, Rutland.
Events:
Welles raised a rebellion against Edward IV, backed by Warwick and Clarence.
Edward marched swiftly, defeating the rebels before Warwick could intervene.
Rebel troops fled, discarding their coats to escape—giving the battle its name.
Welles was captured and executed, revealing Warwick and Clarence’s involvement.
Outcome:
Yorkist victory.
Warwick and Clarence fled to France, joining forces with Margaret of Anjou.
Led to their brief restoration of Henry VI in October 1470.
Summarise the battle of Hedgeley Moor 25th April 1464)
Context: Wars of the Roses – Yorkists sought to secure a truce with Scotland, while Lancastrians tried to block them.
Key Figures:
Yorkists: John Neville, Lord Montagu.
Lancastrians: Sir Ralph Percy.
Location: Hedgeley Moor, Northumberland.
Events:
Montagu led a Yorkist force north to escort envoys for peace talks with Scotland.
Lancastrians ambushed Montagu but lacked unity—many fled early.
Percy’s men fought but were overwhelmed by Yorkist cavalry.
Percy was killed, reportedly urging his men to fight to the end.
Outcome:
Yorkist victory.
Ensured safe passage for the Scottish negotiations.
Weakened remaining Lancastrian resistance in the north.
Led to the decisive Battle of Hexham (15th May 1464), crushing Lancastrian hopes.
summarise the battle of Hexham (15th May 1464)
Context: Wars of the Roses – Yorkist forces crushed remaining Lancastrian resistance in the north.
Key Figures:
Yorkists: John Neville, Lord Montagu.
Lancastrians: Sir Henry Percy, the “Hotspur” family.
Location: Hexham, Northumberland.
Events:
Yorkist forces, led by Montagu, attacked the Lancastrian stronghold.
Lancastrian forces were caught off guard and quickly overwhelmed.
Many Lancastrian leaders, including Sir Henry Percy, were captured or killed.
Outcome:
Decisive Yorkist victory.
Major blow to Lancastrian power in the north.
Many Lancastrian leaders executed, including Henry Percy and other nobles.
The battle marked the near-collapse of the Lancastrian cause, paving the way for Yorkist dominance for several years.
summarise the battle of Tewkesbury (4th May 1471)
Context: Final major battle of the Wars of the Roses, securing Edward IV’s reign after his return to power.
Key Figures:
Yorkists: Edward IV; Richard, Duke of Gloucester (future Richard III).
Lancastrians: Prince Edward (son of Henry VI); Queen Margaret of Anjou.
Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
Events:
Lancastrian forces, led by Prince Edward and Queen Margaret, attempted to block Yorkist advances.
Yorkist army, with superior numbers and tactics, forced the Lancastrians into a retreat.
Prince Edward was killed in the fighting, possibly executed after capture.
Queen Margaret and many Lancastrian leaders were captured or fled.
Outcome:
Decisive Yorkist victory.
The death of Prince Edward marked the end of Lancastrian hopes for a throne.
Edward IV solidified his rule, with the remaining Lancastrian leaders either captured or in exile.
The battle ended significant Lancastrian resistance, effectively securing the Yorkist dynasty.
