News

New interpretation for the Edgcote (1469) battlefield

9 April 2026

A set of three new information boards explaining the battle and battlefield at Edgcote have been installed in a joint project between the Battlefields Trust, Northamptonshire Battlefields Society, and Wills Estates, the landowner.

The boards are located on a public right of way running from the Estate office across Danesmoor, the site of the battle.

The first board, near the Estate office, explains the lead up to the battle; the second, at the foot of the hill where the royal army deployed, describes what happened during the battle; and the third, located nearby the stream mentioned in one account of the battle, details the aftermath.

Wills Estates initially approached the Battlefields Trust and the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society with the idea of improving interpretation for the battlefield and the three organisations have worked closely on designing, manufacturing and installing the information boards.  

Chair of the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society Graham Evans said ‘this is the last of the three Registered Battlefields in the county to have new information boards installed. Edgcote has received more attention in recent years after the 550th anniversary in 2019. It has been our aim since then to improve the interpretation on the battlefield itself and we are very pleased to have worked with the Wills Estate and the Battlefields Trust on this project ’.

Battlefields Trust Research Coordinator Simon Marsh added ‘partnering with the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society and Wills Estates on this project has shown what can be achieved when national and local organisations cooperate to help promote our battlefield heritage’.

The battle of Edgcote was fought on 24 July 1469 and was the first major action in the campaigns of 1469-71, the second major period of unrest in the Wars of the Roses.

It took place when the army of the Earl of Pembroke, which was marching to join Edward IV at Nottingham, encountered a rebel force under Robin of Redesdale, which was marching to join the army of the Earl of Warwick. Pembroke was defeated and Edward IV was subsequently taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick. 

For more information on the battle of Edgcote (1469) see The Battlefields Hub → Wars of the Roses → Edgcote Campaign → The Battle of Battle of Edgcote

For more information about the work of the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society see Northamptonshire Battlefields Society – Dedicated to the research and preservation of Northampton's Battlefields and Heritage