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23rd September 1459 Battle of Blore Heath is in 1459-1461 Wars of the Roses: Second War.
On 23rd September 1459 a Lancastrian army of James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet (age 61) and John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley (age 58) fought with a Yorkist army commanded by Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 59) at Blore Heath, Staffordshire [Map] whilst he, Salisbury, was travelling to Ludlow [Map] to join up with the main Yorkist army. Forewarned by scouts Salisbury arranged his troops into battle order the night before, arranging his wagons defensively, and digging trenches.
The Yorkist army included John Conyers (age 48), Thomas Harrington (age 59), James Harrington (age 29), John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 28), William Stanley (age 24), Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 26), John Savile, Walter Strickland (age 48) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 59).
The Lancastrian army included brothers John Dutton, Thomas Dutton (age 38) and Peter Dutton who were killed.
James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet was killed, probably by Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley. His son John (age 33) succeeded 6th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, 3rd Baron Tuchet. Anne Echingham Baroness Audley Heighley (age 39) by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire.
John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley and Edmund Sutton (age 34) were captured. Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 53) fought.
William Troutbeck (age 23), Richard Molyneux of Sefton and John Egerton (age 55) were killed.
After the battle Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England (age 29) took refuge at Eccleshall Castle, Staffordshire [Map]. Thomas Harrington, John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu and Thomas Neville (age 29) were captured at Acton Bridge, Tarporley [Map] and imprisoned at Chester Castle [Map] having been detached from the main Yorkist force.
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Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. 23rd September 1459. Battle of Blore Heath.
Indeed, even in that grave and significant conflict, which the Earl of Salisbury (age 59), with a small band of common people, was recently known to have engaged in against the Lord Audley (age 61) and almost the entire militia of the Counties of Chester and Shropshire, where the multitude yielded to the few, though the few were skilled, valiant, and well exercised warriors, the multitude, numbering barely ten thousand, was defeated, conquered, and put to flight. Reflecting on this, the King, along with the saying of Seneca, "It is not the number of persons, but rather the virtue of the few, that wins battles and overthrows enemies," deliberated within himself. He resolved to attempt other means before resorting to arms. He dispatched a suitable and capable messenger to them, offering peace through the mouth of a certain relative of theirs, namely, Richard Beauchamp, the Bishop of Salisbury. He offered them the opportunity to reconsider their intentions, to send their people back, and to repent of their actions. Furthermore, he himself was willing to grant a general pardon for all their individual transgressions, treating them henceforth as dear kinsmen and more favourably than ever before.
Chronicle of Gregory [1400-1467]. 23rd September 1459. Ande this year was done a grete jornaye at the Blowre Hethe by the Erle of Saulysbury (age 59) ande the Quenys galentys. And that day the King made vij knyghtys, first, Syr Robert Molyners, Syr John Daune, Syr Thomas Uttyng, Syr John Brembly, Syr Jon Stanley, Syr John Grysly, and Syr Rychard Hardon; and v of thes knyghtys were slayne full manly in the fylde, and many men of yemonry soore hurte, and a full nobylle knyght, the Lord Audeley (age 61), and Syr Thomas Hamdon, knyght, was the getynge of the fylde, and Thomas Squyer and Counteroller of the Pryncys house full sore hurte. And [the] batayle or jornay lastyd alle the aftyr none, fro one of the clocke tylle v aftyr non, and the chasse lastyd unto vij at the belle in the mornynge. And men were maymyd many one in the Quenys party. There were in the Quenys party vM [Note. 5000], and in that othyr party vC [Note. 500], a grete wondyr that evyr they might stonde the grete multytude not ferynge, the King beyng with yn x myle and the quene (age 29) with yn v myle at the castelle of Egyllyssale [Map]. But the Erle of Saulysbury hadde ben i-take, save only a Fryer Austyn schot gonnys [Note. shot guns] alle that nyght in a parke that was at the backe syde of the fylde, and by this mene the erle come to Duke of Yorke (age 48). And in the morowe they founde nothyr man ne ehylde in that parke but the fryer, and he said that for fere he a-bode in that parke alle that nyght. But in the mornyng, by-twyne the fylde and Chester, Syr John Dawne is son that was at home in his fadyrs place hadde worde that his fadyr was slayne; a-non he raysyd his tenantys and toke by-syde a lytyl towne i-namyd Torperlay [Map] Syr Thomas Nevyle (age 29), Syr John Nevyle (age 28), and Syr Thomas Haryngdon (age 59), and brought them unto the castelle of Chester, ande there they a-boode tylle the batayle of Northehampton was done, &c.
Chronicle of Jean de Waurin [1400-1474]. 23rd September 1459. Battle of Blore Heath. See note below.
When the Earl of Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick, and their troops approached towards a point at daybreak where the army of Exeter and Lord Beaumont were positioned behind a great forest hedge, with only the tips of their banners visible, they stationed themselves on foot behind a forest that formed a barrier on one side, while on the other side they had placed their wagons and their horses tied together, and behind them they had made a good trench for security, and in front of them they had set up their shields in the English fashion. Once they had arranged themselves in battle formation, the army of Exeter, all mounted, came to face them, eagerly planning to catch Warwick and his company by surprise, with little effort and danger. Warwick and his retinue, after confessing and being prepared to die, kissed the ground they had walked on, from which they ate, deciding that they would both live and die on it. When the lords of Exeter and Beaumont found themselves so close to their enemies that they could use their arrows, they began shooting so swiftly and mercilessly that it was horrifying, and so rapidly that wherever their arrows landed, they attached themselves firmly so that they killed many horses and about twenty or twenty-two men from Warwick's company, and from Exeter's company, five to six hundred.
The men of Exeter retreated about the length of an archer's shot, but shortly after, they fiercely charged impetuously upon the said Warwick. During this charge, about a hundred men from Exeter's side and ten from Warwick's side were killed. Then Lord Beaumont and his company, considering that fighting on horseback brought little honour and even less advantage, dismounted about four thousand men who joined the battle against Warwick. They fought hand to hand for a good half hour, hoping to be reinforced by their mounted troops. However, seeing the resistance faced by their foot soldiers, the mounted troops withdrew from the field, leaving those on foot to face the enemy alone. Consequently, a knight from Beaumont's retinue, who commanded about five hundred men, began shouting with his men: "Warwick, Warwick!" and attacked Beaumont's own company, causing them to retreat further. At this moment, Warwick, seeing this turn of events, ordered his men to advance, which they did. Eventually, the forces of Lord Beaumont were defeated. According to the reports of the heralds, about two thousand men from Beaumont's side were killed in this engagement, and fifty-six from Warwick's side. Lord Beaumont himself, Lord Welles, and twelve other knights were captured, while the rest fled. This battle took place in the month of September, three or four days before the feast of Saint Michael .
Quant le comte de Salsbery, le comte de Warewic et leurs gens aparcheurent droit a ung point de jour larmee dExcestre et du seigneur de Beaumont derriere une grant forest haye, dont on ne veoit que les boutz des penons, ilz se misrent a pie a larriere dune forest qui leur faisoit cloture a ung coste, et de lautre avoient mis leur charroy et leurs chevaulz lyez les ungz auz autres, et par derriere eulz avoient fait ung bon trenchis pour sceurete, et devant eulz avoient fichie leurs peux a la fachon dAngleterre; et lorsquilz se furent mis en ordonnance de bataille, se vindrent rengier devant eulz larmee dExcestre tous a cheval, et faisoient bien leur conte datraper Warewic et avoir sa compaignie a grant marchie, a pou de traveil et dangier. Lesquelz de Warewic et sa routte, aprez eulz estre confessez et mis en estat de morir, baiserent tous la terre sur quoy ilz marchoient, de laquele ilz mengerent, concluant que sur ycelle ilz morroient et viveroient: et quant lesdis seigneurs dExcestre et de Beaumont se veyrent si prez de leurs annemis quilz peuvent employer leur trait ilz se prindrent si onniement a tyrer que cestoit horreur, et si radement que partout ou il ataindoit satachoit telement quilz tuerent moult de chevaulz et environ vingt ou vingt deux hommes de la compaignie dudit Warewic, et de la compaignie dExcestre bien de chincq a six cens.
Pourquoy ledis dExcestre desmarcherent en recullant environ le trait dun archier, mais pou aprez renchargerent impetueusement sur ledit de Warewic, a laquele rencharge morurent, de ceulz dExcestre environ cent, et des Warewic dix. Alors le seigneur de Beaumont et sa compaignie, considerans que peu a leur honneur et ancores moins a leur prouffit exploitoient a cheval, se misrent a pie environ quatre mille hommes qui sen vindrent joindre a la bataille de Warewic ou ilz combatirent main a main bien une grande demye heure, esperans quilz serroient comfortez de leurs gens a cheval, lesquelz advisans la resistence quon faisoit a leurs gens de pie prindrent le large des champz, si laisserent ceulz de pie convenir a leur entreprinse, parquoy ung chevallier de la routte du seigneur de Beaumont, quy avoit desoubz lui environ chincq cens hommes, se prinst a cryer avec les siens: "Warewic, Warewic!" et fraper sur la compaignie dudit de Beaumont, pourquoy ilz desmarcherent ancores en recullant: et lors Warewic parchevant ceste chose crya quon marchast avant, ce qui fut fait, et finablement, furent le comte de Beaumont et les siens descomfis, si en morut a ceste besongne par le raport des heraulz environ deux mille hommes et de ceulz de Warewic chincquante six, et y furent prins ledit comte de Beaumont, le seigneur de Welles et douze autres chevalliers, et le demourant sen fuyrent; laquele bataille fut ou mois de Septembre trois ou quatre jours avant la feste de Saint Michiel.
Note. Waurin's account of the Battle of Blore Heath is confusing. The Lancastrian army was commanded by James Tuchet, 5th Baron Audley, who was killed, and John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley, who was captured, who Waurin mistakes for the Duke of Exeter and Lord Beaumont. The Earl of Warwick was not present at the Battle of Blore Heath, neither was Lord Welles who is mentioned at the end of the text. The mid-battle change of allegiance "Warwick, Warwick!" appears to be an event from the Battle of Northampton, at which the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Beaumont fought?
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A Chronicle of London. 23rd September 1459. And sone after, kyng Henry, the quene and lords, lete make a grete gaderyng of people northward, wherof was grete noise: than therle of Warwike came frome Caleise thurgh London, and his fader therle of Salisbury came fro Middilham toward the duke of Yorke with iij m1 [3000] men; and the quene Margrete lay by the way as he come with xiiij m1 [14,000] of the floure of Chestreshire, Lancastreshire and Derbyshire, which set upon the seid erle of Salisbury and his compeigny at Blore heth, the xxiij day of Septembre; and there were slayne of the quenes partie the lord Awdley, with many knyghts, squiers, and other people,
Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. 23rd September 1459. And in processe of time after, as he was riding towarde Salysbury (age 59), or, after some, from his lodging toward London, the lord Audley (age 61), with a strong company, was assigned to meet with him, and as a prisoner to bring him unto London. Whereof the said Earl being warned, gathered unto him the more men, and keeping his journey, met with the said Lord Audley at a place callyd Blore Heth, where both companies ran together and had there a strong bickering; whereof in the end the Earl was victour, and slew there the Lord Audley and many of his retinue. At this skirmish were the. ii. sons of the said Earl sore wounded, named Sir Thomas (age 29) and Sir John (age 28); the which shortly after, as they were going homewarde, were by some of the queen's party taken, and as prisoners sent unto Chester.
Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. [23rd September 1459]. The lord Audeley (age 61), accordyng to his commission, assembled aboue. x. M. men, and knowyng by his espials whiche way therle [Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 59)] kept, approched nere to hym on a faire plain called Blore Heath, within a mile of the toune of Drayton, in the countrey of Salope, commonly called Shropshire. The erle perceiuing by the liuery of the souldiors, that he was circumuented and likely to be trapped with the quenes power, determined rather there to abide the aduenture, with fame and honor, then farther to flie, with losse & reproche: & so encamped hymself all the night, on the side of a litle broke not very brode, but somewhat depe. In the mornyng earely, beyng the daie of. s. Tecle, he caused his souldiors to shote their rliorhtes, towarde the Lorde Awdeleys company, whiche laie on the otherside of the saied water, and then he and all his company, made a signe of retraite. The lorde Awdeley, remembryng not onely the trust that he was put in, but also the Quenes terrible commaundement, (whiche was to bryng to her presence, therle of Salisbury, quicke or ded) blewe vp his trumpet, and did set furth his voward, & sodainly passed the water. Therle of Salisbury, whiche knewe the slaightes, stratagemes, and the pollecies of warlike affaires, sodainly returned, and shortly encountred with the Lorde Awdeley and his chief Capitaines, or the residewe of his armie could passe the water. The fight was sore and dreadfull. Therle desiryng thesauyng of his life, and his aduersaries couetyng his destruccion, fought sore for the obteinyng of their purpose, but in conclusion, the erles army as men desperate of aide and succor, so egerly fought, that thei slewe the lorde Awdeley, and all his capitaines, and discomfited all the remnaunt of his people. In this battail wer slain, xxiiij. C. persos, but the greatest plague lighted on the Chesshire men, because one halfe of the shire, was one the one part, and the other on the other part, of whiche numbre wer sir Thomas Dutton, sir Ihon Dunne, & sir Hugh Venables. But therles twoo sonnes, the one called sir Ihon Neuell (age 28), and the other sir Thomas (age 29), wer sore woiided, whiche soberly iorniyng into the Northcountrey thinkyng there to repose them selfes, wer in their iorney appreheded, by the quenes frendes, and conueyed to Chester: but their kepers deliuered them shortly, or els the Marchemen had destroyed the Gayles. Such fauor had the commons of Wales, to the duke of Yorkes band and his 'affinitie, that thei could suffre no wrong to be doen, nor evil worde to be spoken of hym or his frendcs.
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Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. [23rd September 1459] The Erle of Salisbyri (age 59), accumpanied with Syr Thomas (age 29) and Syr John (age 28) Neville his Sunnes, wan the Feeld at Bloreheth, and slew the Lord Andeley (age 61), and many Gentiles of Chestreshire.
The Erle of Salisbyris Sunnes were both hurte at Blorehethfeld, and after goyng homeward taken by the Quenes Mene, and brought to Chester.
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An English Chronicle. 23rd September 1459. Whenne the kyng herde of thayre commyng, they that were aboute hym counseyled hym to gadre a power for to wythestand theym, and enformed hym that they came forto dystroy hymme. Thenne lay the quene at Eglishale [Map], and anone by hire stiryng the kyng assembled a grete power whereof the lorde Audeley (age 61) was chyef and had the ledyng of thaym, and wente forthe in to the felde called Blorehethe; by the whyche the sayde duk of York and the erl most nedes passe. And there bothe hostes mette and countred to gedre, and faught mortally. And there was the lorde Audeley sleyne, and meny of the notable knyghtes and squyers of Chesshyre that had resceued the lyuery of the swannes; and there were take prysoners, the erlles ij. sones of Salisbury, Thomas and Johan, and ser Thomas Haryngtone, and enprysoned in the castelle of Chestre; but sone after they were delyuered.
Chronicle of Jean de Waurin [1400-1474]. Upon hearing these responses, the Duke of York, realizing that he was not strong enough to combat the King, departed from there and went to Ireland. His son Edward , the Earl of March, along with him, and the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick set sail and arrived at Calais. But before the aforementioned earls parted ways with the Duke of York to head towards the sea, they encountered an army of the Queen's forces led by Lord Audley1. They fought2 and defeated them, resulting in the death of the said captain, Lords Harrington and Kinderton, and the capture of Baron Duclay and Sir Thomas Fidern, even though the Duke's men numbered only four hundred fighters while those of the Queen were six to eight thousand.
Lors le duc dYorc oiant ces responces, et sentant quil nestoit pas fort assez pour combattre le roy, il se party dillec si sen alla a Yrlande, et son filz Edouard comte de La Marche, avec luy les comtes de Salsebery et de Warewic se misrent en mer et vindrent a Callaix: mais sachies avant que les comtes dessusdis se departissent du duc dYorc pour aller vers la mer ilz rencontrerent une armee des gens de la royne dont estoit capittaine le seigneur dAndelay si les combatirent et descomfirent, sicque ilz y morurent ledit capittaine, les seigneurs de Charinten et de Kindreton, et y furent prins le baron de Duclay et messire Thomas Fiderne, com bien que les gens du duc nestoient que quatre cens combatans et ceulz de la royne estoient bien six ou huit mille.
After the said adventure, the Queen of England, greatly troubled by this, made her complaints to the great lords of the King's council, all of whom promised her that to avenge this shame, each of them would strive to serve her.
Aprez ladite adventure la royne dAngleterre, de ce moult troublee, fist ses complaintes auz grans seigneurs du conseil du roy, lesquelz lui promisrent tous que pour vengier ceste honte chascun deulz senf0rceroit de le servir.
Note 1. James Tuchet, 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet, 1398-1459.
Note 2. This describes the Battle of Blore Heath, fought on 23rd September 1459, described in detail below. It isn't clear why Waurin mentions it here before the events of 1458?
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