The Battle of Tewkesbury, fought on 4 May 1471, was one of the decisive and most brutal engagements of the Wars of the Roses. It marked the collapse of Lancastrian hopes and effectively ensured Yorkist dominance under Edward IV. With Prince Edward of Westminster killed and Henry VI soon to follow, the Lancastrian cause was broken in the blood-drenched fields outside Tewkesbury Abbey.
Forces
| Allegiance | Commander(s) | Estimated Troop Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkist | King Edward IV, Richard of Gloucester | 5,000 to 7,000 |
| Lancastrian | Queen Margaret, Prince Edward (nominal), Edmund Beaufort | 5,000 to 6,000 |
Edward’s army was battle-hardened, having marched from the north after his victory at Barnet. The Lancastrian force was composed largely of West Country levies, with a core of loyal nobles and retainers.
Leaders and Troop Composition
Yorkist Commanders:
- Edward IV – commanded from the centre
- Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III) – led the vanguard
- Lord Hastings – commanded the left flank
Lancastrian Commanders:
- Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset – commanded the vanguard
- John Courtenay, Earl of Devon – centre
- Prince Edward of Westminster – present but not experienced; figurehead leadership
- John Wenlock, Lord Wenlock – right flank
Yorkist Troops Included:
- Northern retainers from Edward’s recent campaigns
- Veteran soldiers from Barnet
- Burgundian handgunners and artillerymen
Lancastrian Troops Included:
- Devon and Welsh levies
- Men-at-arms loyal to the Beauforts and Courtenays
- Retinues from the Midlands and South West
Arms and Armour
Weapons Used:
- Poleaxes and bills were dominant in close-quarter combat
- Longbows were still prominent in opening phases
- Some units used handguns and small artillery, particularly on the Yorkist side
- Swords, daggers, and maces were common sidearms
Armour:
- Full plate harness for the nobility and many men-at-arms
- Brigandines, mail, and sallets for lesser troops
- Shields were rare by this stage, with two-handed weapons preferred
The Yorkist soldiers were generally better equipped, a result of Edward’s strong logistical organisation and continental support.
Archaeology
Modern excavations around the battlefield and Tewkesbury Abbey have uncovered limited physical remains due to subsequent development, but several items offer insight:
- Arrowheads typical of late 15th-century English longbowmen
- Horse fittings and damaged pieces of harness
- Human remains from mass graves near the Abbey, likely those killed during the rout and sanctuary breach
No large-scale archaeological dig has been completed, though smaller local studies suggest the main clash occurred between the abbey grounds and the River Swilgate.
Battle Timeline
3 May 1471
- Lancastrians, exhausted from their march, reached Tewkesbury
- Edward’s army caught up and encamped within striking distance
4 May 1471
- Morning: Edward deployed his forces in three battles; Somerset tried to flank him through wooded ground
- Midday: Somerset’s attack was repulsed; Yorkist counterattack rolled up the Lancastrian right
- Afternoon: Lancastrian line collapsed; Prince Edward slain either in the rout or shortly after capture
- Evening: Lancastrians fled to the Abbey; sanctuary violated by Yorkist soldiers in pursuit
5 May 1471
- Somerset and others captured and executed after mock trials
- Remaining Lancastrian leaders either killed or fled into exile
Contemporary Quotes
Chroniclers captured the ferocity and finality of the battle:
“And there was slain on the field Prince Edward… and many other great estates of the party of Lancaster, and some taken and afterward put to execution.” – The Arrivall of Edward IV
“Great slaughter there was on both parties… the field was foul with blood and broken harness.” – Benet’s Chronicle
“The Duke of Somerset was taken and brought into the town, and there without long delay beheaded.” – Warkworth’s Chronicle
The Seven Swords takeaway
The Battle of Tewkesbury sealed the fate of the Lancastrian line. With the death of Prince Edward and the later murder of Henry VI, Edward IV faced no serious opposition for the remainder of his reign. The brutality shown in its aftermath, including the execution of noble prisoners and the violation of sanctuary, reflects the deep scars and unresolved violence of the civil conflict. Tewkesbury was not just a victory, it was a reckoning.
Watch the documentary:
The Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is one of Europes biggest re-enactment festivals with battles, activities and crafts.
