Battle of Mortimer's Cross
Who Fought
Yorkist: approximately 5,000 under Edward, Earl of March; Lancastrian: unknown numbers, estimated roughly 1,000 fewer than the Yorkist force, under Owen and Jasper Tudor
History & Significance
The Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought on 2 February, 1461 near Kingsland, Herefordshire (between Leominster and Leintwardine, by the River Lugg), not far from the Welsh border. It was a major battle of the Wars of the Roses. The opposing forces consisted of, on one side, an army led by Jasper Tudor and his father, Owen Tudor, as well as nobles loyal to King Henry VI of the House of Lancaster, his wife, Margaret of Anjou, and their seven-year-old son, Edward, Prince of Wales. On the other side, was the army of Edward, Earl of March. Some sources say it was fought on 3 February, and the exact location has been the subject of some speculation.
In 1460, while King Henry VI was being held prisoner, Richard, Duke of York (father of Edward, Earl of March) attempted to depose Henry and become king himself. His closest supporters dissuaded him from this step, but he secured an Act of Accord by which he and his descendants would inherit the throne on Henry's death, thus disinheriting Henry's young son Edward, Prince of Wales. Inspired by Henry's queen, Margaret of Anjou, York's enemies and rivals began gathering armies in Wales and Northern England. York sent Edward of March, his 18-year-old eldest son, to gather support in the Welsh Marches while he himself led an army to the north. On 30 December, York led his men into a trap at the Battle of Wakefield where he was killed.
With York's death, his titles and claim to the throne passed to Edward of March, now the 4th Duke of York, Edward wanted to prevent Lancastrian forces from Wales, led by Owen Tudor and his son Jasper, Earl of Pembroke, from joining the main Lancastrian army. The elder Tudor had been the second husband of Catherine of Valois, widow of Henry V. Their sons (Jasper and Edmund Tudor), who were Henry VI's half-brothers were made earls. The Tudor family became a major power in South Wales. His army included Welshmen, drawn especially from the Tudor lands in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, along with French and Breton mercenaries and Irish troops led by James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond. Edward was based at Wigmore Castle and gathered his army from the counties at the English border with significant Welch presence as well. Lord Audley, Lord Grey of Wilton, Sir William Herbert of Raglan, Sir Walter Devereux and Humphrey Stafford were among his leading supporters. After Christmas in Gloucester, he learned of the death of his father and younger brother and began preparing to return to London. However, when Jasper Tudor's army began approaching London, he changed his plan. To prevent Tudor from joining the main Lancastrian force which was advancing on London, Edward marched north with an army of approximately five thousand men to meet the enemy at Mortimer's Cross.
The ground they fought on
The site of Battle of Mortimer's Cross lies on Silurian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Silurian. The rock here is limestone, mudstone and calcareous mudstone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Battle of Mortimer's Cross · Wikidata
- Battle_of_Mortimer's_Cross · Wikipedia
- Battle of Mortimers Cross · BritishBattles.com
- Battle of Mortimer's Cross · Battlefields Trust