BattlefieldsBamburgh Castle Artillery Reduction 1464
Medieval

Bamburgh Castle Artillery Reduction 1464

1464
Northumberland, England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Lancastrians
Forces
Ralph Grey's garrison
VS
Victor
Yorkists
Forces
Yorkists under Warwick & Montagu
Outcome
Bamburgh surrendered after artillery breach; Sir Ralph Grey captured, tried and executed; last major Lancastrian northern stronghold subdued
The Battle

History & Significance

The second reduction of Bamburgh in 1464 was the first time artillery was used to deliberately batter down the walls of an English castle, marking a turning point in siege warfare. Warwick and Montagu brought royal ordnance including guns named Newcastle, London and Dijon to breach the walls, threatening the constable Sir Ralph Grey with forfeiture for every stone dislodged.

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