The Battle

On the morning of Easter Sunday 14th April the forces arose to deep mist. As the two armies advanced it became apparent that Edward’s night-time deployment had miscalculated Warwick’s positon and the two armies were the Yorkist left fell short of the Lancastrian right, whilst their right battle extended past the Lancastrian left flank. The Lancastrians quickly took advantage on their right flank, the troops under the Earl of Oxford pushing back the Yorkist left, and driving them from the field. Unfortunately for Oxford, when his troops returned to the field they were mistaken for Yorkist troops and fired upon by their own side. Suspecting treason Oxford’s troops quit the field.

The Yorkists had fared better on their right flank where they had successfully pushed the Lancastrian left flank back towards the centre. The battle was fiercest in the centre and the Lancastrians were disconcerted by the cries of treason coming from Oxford’s men. As the Lancastrians faltered Edward launched his reserve. The Lancastrians broke and fled leaving many dead on the field including the Earl of Warwick himself.

 

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