BattlefieldsRout of Ludford Bridge
Medieval

Rout of Ludford Bridge

1459
Shropshire, England
Also known as: Battle of Ludford Bridge 1459 · Ludford Bridge
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Shropshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Yorkists (dispersed without fighting)
Forces
Yorkists: c.3,000–5,000. Yorkist rout without engagement.
VS
Victor
Lancastrians (Henry VI)
Forces
Lancastrians: c.5,000–10,000
Outcome
Yorkist leaders fled abroad; York to Ireland, Warwick to Calais
The Battle

History & Significance

The most inglorious moment for the Yorkist cause. With the full Lancastrian royal army approaching at Ludford Bridge, the Yorkist leaders deserted their own army in the night. York fled to Ireland; Warwick, Salisbury and Edward of March escaped to Calais. The remaining troops submitted. Parliament attainted the fugitives. Yet within months they returned, defeated the Lancastrians at Northampton, and captured the king. The War of the Roses proved extraordinarily reversible.

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