BattlefieldsTewkesbury — Somerset Disastrous Advance 1471
Medieval

Tewkesbury — Somerset Disastrous Advance 1471

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

Who Fought

Defeated
Lancastrian
Forces
Edward IV with approximately 8000
VS
Victor
Yorkist
Forces
Somerset commanding Lancastrian left approximately 6000
Outcome
Lancastrian army routed; Prince Edward killed; Somerset executed after sanctuary violated; Lancastrian cause effectively ended
The Battle

History & Significance

At Tewkesbury on 4 May 1471 Somerset abandoned the defensive position that gave the Lancastrians a strong field and advanced through a park. He hoped to outflank Edward IV but an ambush party of Yorkist spears attacked his exposed flank. The advance turned into a rout and Somerset later attacked Wenlock behind the lines believing he had held back treacherously.

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