The Battle of Tewkesbury (4 May 1471) marked a pivotal moment in the Wars of the Roses, the dynastic conflict between the Houses of Lancaster (red rose) and York (white rose). Below, we dissect the battle’s significance, key figures, and legacy, with tables for clarity.
1. Overview of the Battle
Aspect
Detail
Date
4 May 1471
Location
Near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire (modern-day Bloody Meadow)
Forces
Yorkists (Edward IV) vs. Lancastrians (Margaret of Anjou, Prince Edward)
Casualties
~2,000 Lancastrians; ~500 Yorkists
Outcome
Decisive Yorkist victory; collapse of Lancastrian resistance
2. Key Figures and Their Fates
Figure
Role
Post-Battle Fate
Edward IV (York)
Yorkist king; led army
Secured throne until death in 1483; restored Yorkist dominance.
Prince Edward (Lancaster)
Heir to Henry VI; aged 17
Killed in battle or executed post-capture, debated by historians (e.g., Warkworth’s Chronicle).
Margaret of Anjou
Lancastrian queen; military leader
Captured; imprisoned in Tower of London until ransomed by France (1475).
Henry VI
Lancastrian king (deposed)
Died in Tower of London on 21 May 1471; likely murdered on Edward IV’s orders.
Duke of Somerset
Lancastrian commander
Executed after battle; buried in Tewkesbury Abbey.
3. The Battle’s Turning Points
Event
Impact
Lancastrian Ambush Fails
Somerset’s flanking manoeuvre collapsed due to Yorkist artillery.
Prince Edward’s Death
Eliminated Lancastrian heir; ended hopes of dynastic continuity.
Tewkesbury Abbey: Houses the graves of fallen Lancastrians; entry £5 (concessions £4).
Final Note: The battle’s brutality and political fallout underscore the Wars of the Roses’ merciless nature, a conflict where sanctuary was ignored, and dynastic survival hinged on one day’s slaughter.
