BattlefieldsStoke Field — Irish Kerns and German Schwartz Veterans 1487
Tudor

Stoke Field — Irish Kerns and German Schwartz Veterans 1487

1487
England
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rebel forces (Lambert Simnel's army)
Forces
Henry VII approximately 12000 under Oxford
VS
Victor
Henry VII
Forces
Rebel approximately 8000
Outcome
Henry VII's victory at Stoke Field 16 June 1487; Lincoln, Schwartz and Fitzgerald killed; Simnel captured and put to work in the royal kitchens
The Battle

History & Significance

The rebel army at Stoke Field was unusual in comprising German Landsknecht mercenaries under Martin Schwartz, Irish kerns under Thomas Fitzgerald, and English Yorkists. The Irish kern, fighting without armour, suffered catastrophic casualties from the Yorkist arrow storm. Martin Schwartz and Lincoln were both killed. It was the last pitched battle of the Wars of the Roses.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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