Battle of Blore Heath

Margaret of Anjou started recruiting forces for her husband, the Lancastrian Henry VI. The Yorkist Edward, Earl of March joined forces with Richard, Earl of Salisbury. 

 

The Earl of Salisbury’s force was based at Middleham Castle in Yorkshire, from here he led his force south-west to join up with the main Yorkist army at Ludlow Castle in Shropshire. 

 

Aware of this, Margaret ordered Lord Audley to intercept them. 

 

James Tuchet, Lord Audley decided to set up an ambush on heathland at Blore Heath and on 23 September 1459 he laid in wait for Salisbury. 

 

Yorkist scouts spotted the Lancastrian army in wait and reported to Salisbury. Even though he was heavily outnumbered Salisbury decided to fight, positioning his soldiers in battle lines. 

 

Yorkist soldiers are thought to have kissed the ground beneath them, believing this would be where they would meet their deaths. 

 

Both sides tried to negotiate to avoid bloodshed, but this was unsuccessful and both sides set their archers to bombard the enemy, but due to the distance between the armies this proved fruitless. 

 

The armies were separated by a fast-flowing brook. Salisbury employed a ruse withdrawing some of his army. Believing they were retreating Lord Audley attacked with a cavalry charge. Salisbury ordered his men to turn back catching the Lancastrians as they crossed the brook. The battle turned in Salisbury’s favour and the Lancastrians suffered heavy losses. 

 

The Lancastrians attacked again and fierce fighting ensued, at which point Lord Audley was killed. John Sutton, Lord Dudley now took the lead and attacked the Yorkist army but this also failed. 

 

The Lancastrian resistance collapsed and started to flee but Yorkist forces pursued them through the night. 

 

The Earl of Salisbury camped at Market Drayton before continuing to Ludlow Castle. Thinking there maybe Lancastrian reinforcements nearby, Salisbury paid a local friar to stay on the battlefield overnight and fire a cannon at regular intervals to make it seem like the battle was continuing. 

 

 

Fought - 23 September 1459 

 

Location - Blore Heath, Staffordshire 

 

Participants - House of York and House of Lancaster 

 

York 5,000 

Lancaster 10,000 

 

Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury 

John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu 

Thomas Neville 

 

James Tuchet, Lord Audley 

John Sutton, Lord Dudley 

 

Victory - House of York 

 

3,000 

James Tuchet, Lord Audley (Lancaster)