BattlefieldsDispute over York Archbishopric — Scrope's Rebellion 1405
Medieval

Dispute over York Archbishopric — Scrope's Rebellion 1405

1405
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Archbishop Scrope's rising 1405 · Shipton Moor muster 1405
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Archbishop Scrope / Mowbray
Forces
Archbishop Scrope's rebels c.8,000.
VS
Victor
Crown (Henry IV)
Forces
Crown forces c.1,000–2,000
Outcome
Scrope's army dispersed at Shipton Moor by Ralph Neville under false promise of negotiation; Scrope executed
The Battle

History & Significance

Archbishop Richard Scrope of York led an extraordinary rising against Henry IV in 1405, gathering a force of 8,000 at Shipton Moor north of York under a banner listing the people's grievances. The Earl of Westmorland (Ralph Neville) persuaded Scrope to dismiss his forces by offering to negotiate, then arrested him. Scrope's subsequent execution — as an archbishop without papal sanction — shocked contemporaries. His tomb in York Minster became a place of pilgrimage; Henry IV reportedly suffered a disfiguring illness (possibly leprosy) that many attributed to divine punishment for the execution.

Casualties & Losses

Scrope executed; Mowbray executed; army dispersed without fighting

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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