BattlefieldsBarnet — Oxford Friendly Fire Rout 1471
Medieval

Barnet — Oxford Friendly Fire Rout 1471

1471
Hertfordshire, England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Hertfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Warwick the Kingmaker
Forces
Edward IV with approximately 9000; battle fought in thick fog on Easter morning
VS
Victor
Edward IV
Forces
Warwick with approximately 9000
Outcome
Friendly fire rout of Oxford's returning division contributed to Lancastrian collapse; Warwick killed in the rout; Oxford fled to France
The Battle

History & Significance

At the Battle of Barnet on 14 April 1471 in heavy morning fog Oxford's division initially routed the Yorkist right under Hastings. When Oxford's men returned to the field after pursuing Hastings into Barnet town Warwick's men mistook Oxford's star-and-streams badge for Edward's sunburst and shot at their own side. The resulting panic destroyed Warwick's left flank and cost him the battle.

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