Battle of Edgecote Moor
Posted on 10th January 2021
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick had always been a staunch supporter of Edward IV, but following Edwards marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, Warwick turned to rebellion against Edward with support from George, Duke of Clarence.
York were now fighting against York, rebels fighting royals.
A rebellion took place led by Robin of Redesdale whose true identity is believed to be Sir William Conyers. Edward thought this rebellion would be easily crushed, so he only took a small force with him to end the dissent.
When Edward realised his army was heavily outnumbered, he retreated towards Nottingham to wait for reinforcements from Humphrey Stafford, Earl of Devon and William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.
Warwick and Clarence having declared their support for the rebels, marched north from London to reinforce the rebel army.
As the rebel army marched to meet Warwick they came upon the Earl of Devon and the Earl of Pembroke at Edgecote Moor, and battle commenced on the morning of 26 July 1469.
Pembroke positioned his army on high ground at Danes Moor, but this proved disastrous and he had to abandon this position after receiving heavy losses from the rebel archer’s attack.
As Pembroke moved his army downhill, it clashed with the rebels and fighting ensued. Pembroke’s army continued in hand-to-hand battle for many hours, while waiting for the fast-advancing army of the earl of Devon.
Before Devon’s army arrived however, Warwick’s advance guard arrived. When seeing this, Pembroke’s soldiers panicked, and thinking that Warwick’s entire force was upon them, they broke and fled.
The rebels had won the day. The Earl of Pembroke, Earl of Devon and Sir Richard Herbert were captured and executed. Edward IV was imprisoned.
Battle of Edgecote Moor
Fought - 26 July 1469
Location - Danes Moor, Northamptonshire
Participants - House of York (Rebels and Royals)
Army
York (Rebels), Unknown
York (Royals), Unknown
Leaders - Rebels (York)
Robin of Redesdale
Leaders - Royals (York)
William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke
Humphrey Stafford, Earl of Devon
Victory - House of York (Rebels)
Casualties
William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke (Royal)
Sir Richard Herbert (Royal)
Humphrey Stafford, Earl of Devon (Royal)
Henry Neville (Rebel)
Sir John Conyers (Rebel)
Sir Oliver Dudley (Rebel)
Tagged as: Junior Middle Ages
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