BattlefieldsJack Cade Rebellion — Sevenoaks 1450
Medieval

Jack Cade Rebellion — Sevenoaks 1450

1450
Kent, England
Also known as: Battle of Solefields 1450 · Cade defeats Stafford brothers
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royal forces (Sir Humphrey Stafford)
Forces
Royal forces (Stafford): c. 1500–2000. Pitched battle.
VS
Victor
Jack Cade (Kentish rebels)
Forces
Jack Cade rebels: c. 4000–5000
Outcome
Stafford brothers killed; royal force routed; Cade wore Stafford armour in triumph
The Battle

History & Significance

Having lured the royal force south from Blackheath toward Sevenoaks, Jack Cade ambushed it at Solefields near the town on 18 June 1450. Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother William were both killed along with many of their men. Cade stripped Sir Humphrey's gilt armour and wore it himself. Henry VI, appalled, fled London. Cade returned in triumph to Blackheath and then entered London. The Sevenoaks defeat was the most humiliating royal military reverse of Henry VI's troubled reign to that point.

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