Europe, British Isles, England, Welsh March, Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury [Map]

Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire is in Gloucestershire.

1471 Battle of Tewkesbury

1824 Margaret Anjou lands at Weymouth

After 1129 Reginald Dunstanville (deceased) died at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire [Map].

On 03 Apr 1130 Alan Dunstanville (age 50) died at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire [Map].

Battle of Tewkesbury

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.

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 Wales2, 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.

On 04 May 1471 King Edward IV of England (age 29) was victorious at the 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 Bergavenny (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.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 04 May 1471. Margaret (age 41), formerly Queen, was captured there along with her son's wife (age 14), and was brought to London by carriage and put into custody.

Margareta olim Regina ibi capta, cum uxore filii sui, et London. in curru deducta et in custodiam tradita est.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 04 May 1471. In the year of our Lord 1471, around the feast of Saint George, [the King], having heard that Queen Margaret (age 41) along with her son Edward (age 17) and many other lords and nobles had landed in the western parts of England, and that many were flocking to her, hastened with his army against them, and near Tewkesbury, fiercely attacked them, slaughtering many and beheading some of the nobles captured there. The names of those chiefly slain there are these: Edward, the son of Queen Margaret, the Earl of Devon (age 36), Lord John of Somerset, Lord John Wenlock (age 71), Henry the recorder of Bristol, along with many others. The names of those beheaded there are these: the Duke of Somerset (age 32), the prior of the house of Saint John in Smithfield, London, Lord Humphrey Audley, along with many others.

Anno Domini 1471°, circiter festum Sancti Georgii, [Rex], audito quod Regina Margareta cum Edwardo filio suo et aliis dominis et proceribus multis in partibus occiduis Anglorum applicuisset, et quod multi ad eam confluerent, cum suo exercitu etiam adversus eos festinavit, et juxta Tewkisberi acriter in eos insiliens multos trucidavit et quosdam nobiles ibi captos decollavit. Nomina precipurorum ibi interfectorum sunt hec:—Edwardus filius Regine Margarete, comes Devonie, dominus Johannes de Somersete, dominus Johnannes Wenloc, Henricus recorder de Bristow, cum multis aliis. Nomina decollatorum ibidem sunt hec: dux de Somersete, prior domus Sancti Johannis in Smythfeld, London., dominus Hunfredus Awdelaye, cum multis aliis.

Warkworth's Chronicle 1471. 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 Ml. 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 Edward3, 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. And afterward these ladyes were takene, Quene Margaret, Prynce Edwardes wyf, the secunde dowghtere of the Earl of Warwick (deceased)s, the Countasse of Devynschire, Dame Kateryne Vaus. And these were taken, and noʒt slayne; Sere Jhon Fortescu, Sere Jhon Sentlow, Sire Herry Roos, Thomas Ormonde, Doctour Makerell, Edward Fulforde, Jhon Parkere, Jhon Bassett, Jhon Wallys, Jhon Thromere Throgmertone, and dyverse other men. And there was takene grete good, and many good horse that were brought frome beyond the see.

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.

On 05 May 1471 those captured at the Battle of Tewkesbury were tried in the Market Square Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire [Map] by John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46) and the Duke of Gloucester (age 18): Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 32), Hugh Courtenay (age 44), Gervase Clifton (age 66), Thomas Tresham (age 51) and Humphrey Tuchet (age 37).

On 06 May 1471 those captured at the Battle of Tewkesbury: Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 32), Hugh Courtenay (age 44), Gervase Clifton (age 66) and Humphrey Tuchet (age 37) were executed. Duke Somerset extinct.

Thomas Tresham (age 51) was executed. His estates including manor of Westhall, in Rushton St Peter, were forfeit.

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.

Archaeologia Volume 21 Section III Chapter III. How the Duke of Somerset and, the Prior of Saint John, with several other Knights and Squires, made prisoners at the Battle [Battle of Tewkesbury], were beheaded in the Town of Tewksbury.

Margaret Anjou lands at Weymouth

Archaeologia Volume 21 Section III Chapter II. How the Queen Margaret, and the Prince of Wales her son, arrived in England [Margaret Anjou lands at Weymouth]; how after their arrival they assembled a vast army; of the great battle [Battle of Tewkesbury] King Edward fought with them, and how the Prince of Wales was therein slain, and great numbers with him routed.

Europe, British Isles, England, Welsh March, Gloucestershire, Market Square Tewkesbury [Map]

On 05 May 1471 those captured at the Battle of Tewkesbury were tried in the Market Square Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire [Map] by John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46) and the Duke of Gloucester (age 18): Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 32), Hugh Courtenay (age 44), Gervase Clifton (age 66), Thomas Tresham (age 51) and Humphrey Tuchet (age 37).

Europe, British Isles, England, Welsh March, Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury, Twyning Green [Map]