King Edward in London had learned of …
Years: 1471 - 1471
King Edward in London had learned of Margaret's landing only two days after she arrived.
Although he had given many of his supporters and troops leave after the victory at Barnet, he is rapidly able to muster a substantial force at Windsor, just west of London.
It is difficult at first to determine Margaret's intentions, as the Lancastrians have sent out several feints, which suggest that they might be making directly for London, but Edward's army sets out for the West Country within a few days.
Margaret's army reaches Bath on April 30 on its way towards Wales.
She turns aside briefly to secure guns, reinforcements and money from the city of Bristol.
On the same day, King Edward reaches Cirencester.
On hearing that Margaret is at Bristol, he turns south to meet her army.
However, the Lancastrians make a feint towards Little Sodbury, about twelve miles (nineteen kilometers) northeast of Bristol.
Nearby is Sodbury Hill, an Iron Age hill fort which is an obvious strategic point for the Lancastrians to seize.
When Yorkist scouts reach the hill, there is a sharp fight in which they suffer heavy casualties.
Believing that the Lancastrians are about to offer battle, Edward temporarily halts his army while the stragglers catch up and the remainder can rest after their rapid march from Windsor.
However, the Lancastrians instead makes swift move north by night, passing within three miles (four point eight kilometers) of Edward's army.
They have gained the safety of Berkeley Castle by the morning of May 2 and have a head start of fifteen miles (twenty-four kilometers) over Edward.
King Edward realizes that the Lancastrians are seeking to cross the River Severn into Wales.
The nearest crossing point they can use is at the city of Gloucester.
He sends urgent messages to the Governor, Sir Richard Beauchamp, ordering him to bar the gates to Margaret and man the city's defenses.
When Margaret arrives in the morning of May 3, Beauchamp refuses Margaret's summons to let her army pass, and she realizes that there is insufficient time to storm the city before Edward's army arrives.
Instead, her army makes another forced march of ten miles (sixteen kilometers) to Tewkesbury, attempting to reach the next bridge at Upton-upon-Severn, seven miles (eleven kilometers) further on.
Edward meanwhile has marched no less than thirty-one miles (fifty kilometers), passing through Cheltenham (at this time little more than a village) in the late afternoon.
The day is very hot, and both the Lancastrians and Edward's pursuing army become exhausted.
The Lancastrians are forced to abandon some of their artillery, which is captured by Yorkist reinforcements following from Gloucester.
Locations
People
- Edmund Beaufort
- Edward IV of England
- Edward of Westminster
- Henry VI of England
- John Courtenay
- John Wenlock
- Louis XI of France
- Margaret of Anjou
- Thomas Neville
Groups
- Burgundy, Duchy of
- France, (Valois) Kingdom of
- England, (Plantagenet, Lancastrian) Kingdom of
- England, (Plantagenet, Yorkist) Kingdom of
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Commodoties
Subjects
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Related Events
Showing 10 events out of 40913 total
Years: 1471 - 1471
Locations
People
- Edmund Beaufort
- Edward IV of England
- Edward of Westminster
- Henry VI of England
- John Courtenay
- John Wenlock
- Louis XI of France
- Margaret of Anjou
- Thomas Neville
Groups
- Burgundy, Duchy of
- France, (Valois) Kingdom of
- England, (Plantagenet, Lancastrian) Kingdom of
- England, (Plantagenet, Yorkist) Kingdom of
Topics
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions