WARS OF THE ROSES YEAR ONE KEY DATES 1440-71

1436 - 1437

1440 - 1445

Richard of York's tenures as Governor of France and Normandy, after his second removal from the post, he was replaced by Edmund Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset who lost many parts of English-occupied France e.g Rouen, Maine and Anjou.

1440s-1480s

Great Slump.

The Great Slump occurred in England between approximately 1440 and 1480. The economic slowdown began in the 1430s in Northern England, spreading south in the 1440s, with the economy not recovering until the 1480s.The Great Slump took place against a wider trading crisis in Northern Europe, driven by shortages of silver, essential for the money supply, and a breakdown in trade.

Some blamed the slump on the effects of the Hundred Years' War and the economic blockades suffered by England due to its exploits in France and its wars with Spain and the Hanseatic League.

The impact of the Great Slump was far-reaching across England. Certain groups were particularly badly affected: cloth exports fell by 35 per cent in just four years at the end of the 1440s, for example, collapsing by up to 90 per cent in some parts of the South-West. Prices of remaining trade goods fell dramatically as well. Popular rebellions ensued in 1450 under Jack Cade, and the events contributed to the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses in the 1460s.

1444

Treaty of Tours, promises Margaret of Anjou in marriage to Henry VI with no dowry. England had to hand over Maine to the French.

April 1450

Battle of Formigny, the loss of Normandy.

2nd May 1450

William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk, beheaded off the coast of Dover by sailors on his way to 'exile.' He was a corrupt advisor of Henry VI.

April - July 1450

Cade's Rebellion, an uprising against the government of Henry VI. Jack Cade, an Irishman of uncertain occupation living in Kent, organised a rebellion among local small property holders angered by high taxes and prices. At some points he went by the name John Mortimer, which linked him highly to Richard of York, who descended from the House of Mortimer through his mother. Lord Saye (Lord Treasurer) is killed by a mob.

September 1450

York returns from Ireland and presented the King with the list of complaints which concluded in two bills.

Bill 1: a list of personal grievance concerned with York's position as heir, his debts and the fact that his advise had been ignored

Bill 2: a list of general grievances that echoes what Cade's rebels had drawn up; namely, the increase in lawlessness and disorder, the corruption of royal officials and the king's evil councillors and the demise of 'good governance'

February 1452

York's army met the royal forces at Dartford, outside the City of London but the duke had miscalculated. Apart from the Earl of Devon and Lord Cobham, the most powerful nobles in the kingdom, including the Duke of Buckingham and the Nevilles Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, remained loyal to the King. York was outnumbered and forced to submit.

After miscalculating at Dartford, York was forced to take a solemn oath to remain faithful to the King in St Paul's Cathedral. Soon after this it was announced the Queen was pregnant, and York was no longer heir presumptive.

July 1453

Battle of Castillon. The English lose Gascony and now only have proper legitimate control over Calais.

August 1453 - Christmas Day 1454

Henry VI in a catatonic state. Margaret, assumed a more active role in politics, working closely with Somerset in the hope of excluding York from power she set herself up as regent until her King recovered. The nobility were appalled at the idea of Margaret assuming the role of regent.

13th October 1453

Birth of Edward of Westminster, son of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. Somerset is made godfather and there are widespread rumours he is the actual father to the child.

27th March 1454

York appointed Lord Protector by Parliament and has Somerset imprisoned in the Tower of London. His protectorate ends and Somerset is released when Henry VI 'regains consciousness (25th December 1454.)

1455

Margaret of Anjou moves the Royal Court to the Midlands, near the easily called upon Duchy of Lancaster and Earldom of Chester, which had lots of resources. This promoted the rivalry that caused the First Battle of St Albans.

Spring 1455

Great Council summoned in Leicester, the Yorkists did not attend over fears of being attainted. York instead moved his troops to intercept the party before it reached Leicester.

22nd May 1455

First Battle of St Albans. Yorkist Victory.

Fought by the Yorkists with the aim of removing Henry VI's 'corrupt advisors,' after 2 hours of peaceful negotiations to ensure this failed.

Henry VI is absent from the battlefield, the Yorkists are thus less reluctant to attack.

Warwick's initial attack made it known that he was a capable military strategist, boosting his reputation amongst the Yorkist party.

Deaths: Edmund Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset, Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland, Thomas Clifford 8th Baron Clifford.

The next day, York escorted King Henry back to London and was appointed as Protector of England by the Parliament a few months later.

August 1455

Earl of Warwick appointed as Captain of Calais. By January, he he was accepted by the leaders there after settling their debts. This have him control of the only significant standing army in England.

19th November 1455

York officially reappointed Lord Protector.

25th February 1456

York dismissed as Lord Protector.

1457

Margaret of Anjou personally appoints Prince Edward's Council (made up of Lancastrian nobles.)

August 1457

French raid Sandwich after it and Canterbury repeatedly send supplies to Warwick and his underfunded garrison at Calais. This cut off Warwick's supply lines and there were rumours Margaret of Anjou ordered the raid.

25th March 1458

Loveday. Henry VI's attempt at peace by making the leading Lancastrians and Yorkists walk into Westminster Abbey holding hands. Unsurprisingly, this did practically nothing to resolve the feud.

May 1458

Warwick raids a Castilian fleet and steals booty in order to raise funds for the Calais Garrison.

June 1459

Great Council in Coventry, made up of Lancastrian lords to summon the Yorkist lords who were charged with unspecified offences. York and Warwick were convicted but immediately pardoned, promising loyalty and honourable behaviour.

The Yorkist lords did not keep their promise and instead immediately began raising troops, with York, Salisbury and Warwick raising support from Wales, the North and Calais respectively. They agreed to meet at Kenilworth, in central England.

23rd September 1459

Battle of Blore Heath. Yorkist victory.

Fought by the Lancastrian lords, Audley and Dudley to intercept Salisbury and his Yorkist forces on their way to the meet with the other Yorkists at Ludlow, under the instruction of Margaret of Anjou.

Deaths: Audley (Dudley surrendered.)

12th - 13th October 1459

Rout at Ludford Bridge. York, Salisbury and Warwick amassed their armies at Ludlow Castle but were outnumbered by Henry VI and his forces. Instead of surrendering and handing over Salisbury they fled into exile. The exile locations were:

Ireland: York, Rutland

Calais: March, Salisbury, Warwick, Fauconberg

Cecily Neville and her young children beg for mercy to Margaret of Anjou, who places them under house arrest with the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham (Cecily's sister and brother-in-law)

November 1459

'Parliament of Devils' held in Coventry by Margaret of Anjou, Acts of Attainder are put on all Yorkist nobles which strips them of their titles and disinherits them.

June 1460

Yorkist forces led by Warwick, Salisbury and March landed at Sandwich in southern England. They gained rapid support and London opened their gates and welcomed them in.

10th July 1460

Battle of Northampton. Yorkist Victory.

Led by Warwick, March and Fauconberg and ultimately won when Lord Grey of Ruthin betrayed the Lancastrians and allowed the Yorkists to have access to the Royal Camp, where they captured Henry VI. Margaret of Anjou and Edward of Westminster flee to Wales, and then Scotland - where they gather troups.

Deaths: The Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord Egremont (Thomas Percy) and Lord Beaumont.

September 1460

York returns from Ireland, openly making a formal claim for the throne, which is officially established on October 16th.

25th October 1460

Act of Accord. Richard of York and his heirs are declared Henry VI's heirs, disinheriting Edward of Westminster. The proceedings of the parliament at Coventry in 1459 were set aside.

30th December 1460

Battle of Wakefield. Lancastrian Victory.

Yorkists ambushed by Margaret of Anjou's Northern forces at York's stronghold, Sandal Castle in Yorkshire.

Although he occupied Sandal Castle, York sortied from the castle on 30 December. His reasons for doing so have been variously ascribed to deception by the Lancastrian armies, or treachery by some nobles and Lancastrian officers who York thought were his allies, or simple rashness or miscalculation by York.

Deaths: Richard of York, Rutland, Salisbury, Sir Thomas Neville

Clifford chased and murdered York's young son, Rutland, in revenge for his Father's death at the First Battle of St Albans. This caused him to earn the nickname 'Butcher Clifford' and be targeted specifically at Ferrybridge (28th March 1461.)

Wakefield made Warwick and March the most senior Yorkists, with March now being the Yorkist claimant and figurehead. A serious 'blood feud' emerged from this and the two began amassing armies to avenge the death of their relatives.

2nd February 1461

Battle of Mortimer's Cross. Yorkist Victory.

March and Herbert defeat the Welsh Tudors and Wiltshire.

A Parhelion occurred on the day of the battle which was understood by the Yorkists that it represented the Holy Trinity and that therefore God was on their side.He later took it as his emblem, the "Sun in splendour".

Deaths: Owen Tudor (widower of Catherine of Valois.)

17th February 1461

Second Battle of St Albans. Lancastrian Victory.

Fought by Warwick who was forced to prevent Margaret of Anjou and the Scots from reaching London alone after March got held up at Mortimer's Cross.

The rival Lancastrian army used a wide outflanking manoeuvre to take Warwick by surprise, cut him off from London and drive his army from the field. The victors also released the feeble King Henry VI, who had been Warwick's prisoner, from his captivity, but they ultimately failed to take advantage of their victory. Margaret of Anjou's reputation for plundering cities caused London to shut their gates on her forces and many Scots and mercenaries subsequently abandoned the cause.

No significant deaths except John Grey of Groby, which left Elizabeth Woodville a widow.

27th February 1461

Edward, Earl of March, enters London with Richard, Earl of Warwick.

1st March 1461

George Neville, Bishop of Exeter, declares Edward's title to the throne in St John's Field.

4th March 1461

Edward, Earl of March declared King Edward IV of England at Westminster, the Yorkist forces immediately march North to ultimately end the Lancastrian cause.

28th March 1461

Battle of Ferrybridge. Indecisive Victory.

After rebuilding the Ferrybridge crossing and losing many men doing so to reach the Lancastrian camp a day prior, Warwick's forces were ambushed by a large party of Lancastrians under Lord Clifford and John, Lord Neville, a younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Westmorland (Warwick's first cousins of the half blood). Many Yorkists died in the initial fight, yet, after the battle Edward arrived with his main army and together Warwick and Edward returned to the bridge to find it in ruins. Warwick sent his uncle, Fauconberg, with the Yorkist cavalry upstream where they crossed the ford at Castleford and pursued Lord Clifford. Fauconberg pursued Lord Clifford, his half grand nephew, in sight of the main Lancastrian army and defeated him after a fierce struggle.

Deaths: Clifford, Baron Neville

Warwick was injured in the Battle which caused him to be absent from the fighting at Towton.

29th March 1461

Battle of Towton. Yorkist Victory.

The 'Bloodiest Battle ever fought on British Soil'

Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou in York for the duration of the battle.

Fought for ten hours between an estimated 50,000 soldiers in a snowstorm on Palm Sunday, the Lancastrian forces are completely annihilated by the Yorkists, led by Edward IV.

Lancastrian arrows missed the Yorkists completely who fired the same arrows back down on them, killing thousands early on in the fighting.

Edward IV's cause seemed lost at a certain point, but Norfolk's reinforcements changed the tide and the Lancastrians fled, where they were massacred in what is now known as the 'Bloody Meadow.'

Deaths: Northumberland, Sir Andrew Trollope (a Yorkist from the Calais garrison who deferred at Ludford Bridge)

The Yorkist army achieved a decisive victory over their Lancastrian opponents. As a result, Edward IV deposed the Lancastrian Henry VI and secured the English throne. Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou together evaded capture by Edward, and this time they both escaped into exile in Scotland. With Scottish aid, Margaret now travelled to the continent to elicit further support for her husband's cause.

June 1461

Warwick appointed Admiral of England, Great Chamberlain, Captain of Calais, Constable of Dover and the Warden of the Cinque Ports.

28th June 1461

Edward IV crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey

April 1462

Margaret of Anjou leaves Scotland with Edward of Westminster to France where on 23rd June she secretly offers the surrender of Calais in return for aid and on 28 June secures agreement for a French-supported expedition to England.

Autumn 1461

Montagu and Warwick slowly took control of Northumberland, Alnwick surrendered in mid-September, followed by Dunstanburgh (important castles.)

Summer 1462

After Dacre had retaken Alnwick it was besieged by Hastings and Sir John Howard, and then once again fell into Yorkist hands.

24th June 1462

Margaret of Anjou and Louis XI of France settled on the agreement of Chinon, which meant that in return for military aid, Margaret of Anjou would give up Calais to Louis XI. However due to Calais' location, in regards to the Duchy of Burgundy, Louis XI realised he would have to get through the Duke of Burgundy first and so Margarets's force was comprised of only 800 men.

25th October 1462

Margaret's forces lands at Bamburgh, Northumberland and Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Alwnick all opens their gates to her. Edward IV summoned the English nobility to his side after this. Margaret hears the size of Edward IV's forces and flees to Scotland, leaving her troops in Northumbrian garrisons

13th November 1462

Margaret sails for Berwick and made it. However, many of her troops are caught in a storm and blown to Lindisfarne where Edward IV's army was waiting and they were slaughtered.

Winter 1462-1463

Campaigns in the North led by Warwick (Edward IV got measles) to eliminate rebels. It is extremely cold so many Yorkist troops desert.

24th December 1462

Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh surrender. Alnwick holds out and is relieved by the Scottish army, when they meet under the command of Lord Hungerford - Warwick's decision to enable this to occur is greatly criticised.

April 1463

Sir Ralph Percy takes back Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh for the Lancastrians. However, in Alnwick, its Lancastrian Captain, Sir Ralph Grey, agrees to serve under the Yorkist Sir John Astley. Percy then seizes Astley and Alnwick, after claiming Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh. After this, the Yorkists in London hears of the Scottish support for the rebels in the North. The Scots are led by their king, James III.

July 1463

Scots siege the border fortress of Norham on the Tweed. Edward IV cannot raise the funds to quell this, even though he tells parliament that he would, so Warwick and Montagu confront the Scots at Norham. The Scots fled and the Nevilles raid some Scottish land.

October 1463

Truce of Hesdin ends French support for the Lancastrians.

March 1464

Permanent settlement between Scotland and England, makes peace between the two nations. Henry VI has to flee Edinburgh and move to Bamburgh.

25th April 1464

Battle of Hedgeley Moor. Yorkist Victory

After anti-government risings are encouraged by the Duke of Somerset (who had briefly sworn allegiance to Edward IV) in Wales, Lancashire and Cheshire, they attempt to ambush Montagu who was escorting Scottish envoys to York.

Montagu fought off the attackers (who were under the control of Somerset, Lord Roos and Hungerford) at Hedgeley Moor, near Alnwick.

Death: Sir Ralph Percy

15th May 1464

Battle of Hexham. Yorkist Victory.

After the Lancastrians lost the Battle of Hedgeley Moor on 25 April 1464 to a Yorkist force led by John Neville, Lord Montagu, the Lancastrians again met Neville, this time near Hexham. Upon seeing the Yorkist advance the right detachment of the Lancastrian army, commanded by Lord Roos, turned and fled across the Devil's Water to Hexham. This cowardice destroyed Lancastrian morale and they were forced into retreat by their opponents.

Deaths: 30 leading Lancastrians executed in Hexham the next day, including Henry Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset, Baron Ros, Baron Hungerford

The battle marked the end of significant Lancastrian resistance in the north of England during the early part of the reign of Edward IV.

23rd May 1464

Alnwick and Dunstanburgh finally surrendered, with Alnwick receiving the only use of artillery used in all the sieges of the Wars of the Roses. Sir Ralph Grey fought on in Bamburgh as he knew he would be shown no mercy. Bamburgh eventually surrendered and Sir Ralph Grey was executed.

September 1464

Edward IV reveals his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, daughter of Richard Woodville, Lord Rivers and Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford. She was the widow of Sir John Grey, a Lancastrian supporter. Warwick is especially angered by this as he had spent the summer in France organising a strategic marriage with Louis XI, in which Edward IV would have married Bona of Savoy. The conference to officiate this was meant to be held in October but was cancelled.

1st June 1465

Treaty of York. 15 year peace with Scotland is established.

26th May 1465

Coronation of Elizabeth Woodville as Queen Consort.

July 1465

Henry VI is captured in Lancashire in July, conducted to London and imprisoned in the Tower.

February 1466

Henry Stafford (Buckingham's heir) married to Katherine Woodville. The Dukedom of Buckingham was a senior title in the nobility and the Stafford's had royal blood, which thus outraged the nobility due to Katherine's positioning in the social hierarchy.

June 1467

George Neville, Archbishop of York dismissed as Chancellor of England as punishment for Neville's obstruction of the royal plans.

Smithfield Tournament. The tournament at Smithfield took place in June 1467 between Antoine 'the Great Bastard' of Burgundy, illegitimate son of Philip the Good, and Anthony Woodville, Lord Scales, brother-in-law to king Edward IV. The tournament was integral to the diplomatic relationship between England and Burgundy, which included negotiations for a marriage treaty between Duke Charles the Bold and Margaret of York, sister of Edward IV.

October 1467

Negotiations officially start surrounding the marriage of Margaret of York to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. The negotiations are led by Lord Scales and Earl Rivers.

3rd July 1468

Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy marries Margaret of York. Warwick's hope of a French alliance are practically destroyed as Burgundy and France are enemies.

July 1468

It is revealed that Warwick's deputy in Calais, John, Lord Wenlock, is involved in a Lancastrian conspiracy.

April-May 1469

Rebellion of Robin of Redesdale. Protesting against taxes and 'abuses of power' and demanding Henry Percy be reinstated as Earl of Northumberland, the rebellion breaks out in Yorkshire and gains support.

The rebellion had numerous links to the Neville family:

- 'Robin of Redesdale' was believed to have been Sir John Conyers, the steward of Middleham (Neville stronghold)

- Sir Henry Fitzhugh (Warwick's nephew) and Sir Henry Neville (Warwick's cousin) both involved

July 1469

Clarence and Warwick flee to Calais The three men then issue a 'remonstrance', listing alleged abuses by the Woodvilles, William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke and Humphrey Stafford, Earl of Devon among others. Isabel Neville is married to Clarence by George Neville, Archbishop of York. Edward IV had previously denied this marriage from occurring. They returned within the month and gathered Kentish men to join the Rebellion in the North.

24th July 1469

Battle of Edgcote. Rebel Victory.

Pembroke and Devon fight the rebel forces on their way to meet with Edward IV in Nottingham. When rebel reinforcements arrived, Pembroke's troops thought they were the vanguard of Warwick's whole army, and Yorkists broke and fled.

Deaths: Devon, Pembroke

Edward IV taken into custody

22nd September 1469

Clarence and Warwick convene Parliament in York. Parliament remains loyal to Edward IV and they do not support the duo's manifesto.

October 1469

Edward IV freed and returns to London as Clarence and Warwick received less support than they intended. Warwick and Clarence are apparently reconciled with Edward IV.

November 1469-February 1470

Edward IV builds support and isolates Warwick and Clarence. Gloucester is awarded many titles in reward for his loyalty to his brother, becoming Justiciar as South Wales and Constable of England.

1st March 1470

Henry Percy freed from the Tower and reinstated Earl of Northumberland, stripping Montagu of his awarded title.

12th March 1470

Battle of Losecote Field. Yorkist Victory.

Initiated in 1470 by Sir Robert Welles, son of Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles, a former Lancastrian, when his family fell foul of Edward. Welles started gathering troops at his base in Lincolnshire, ready for a show of arms against the king.

Edward IV rallied his men and Welles received a letter from the King telling him to disband his rebel army, or his father Lord Welles (previously taken prisoner by Edward) would be executed. Welles quickly turned back with his army towards Stamford. Edward's confidence grew when Welles failed to rendezvous with Warwick and his experienced forces, who Welles had been promised support from.

Lord Welles was executed in sight of both armies, and after a brief charge shouting 'á Warwick and á Clarence,' the rebels fled, unwilling to fight Edward IV's superior fighters.

Death: Sir Robert Welles

24th March 1470

Warwick and Clarence officially declared traitors.

1st May 1470

Warwick and Clarence flee to Honfleur and seek refuge with Louis XI of France after being refused entry to Calais.

22nd July 1470

Angers Agreement. Margaret of Anjou and Warwick formally reconcile and Edward of Westminster is betrothed to Anne Neville.

13th September 1470

Clarence and Warwick land at Plymouth where they marched North to meet with the once-loyal Montagu, who was disappointed he had not been reinstated Earl of Northumberland.

2nd October 1470

Edward IV trapped between Montagu and Warwick & Clarence, flees to Flanders, in the Duchy of Burgundy which is ruled by his brother-in-law, Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy.

6th October 1470

Henry VI freed from the Tower and the 'Readeption' occurs. The end of Edward IV's first reign and the beginning of Henry VI's second reign.

2nd November 1470

Birth of Edward Prince of Wales born in sanctuary in Westminster Abbey. Edward IV now has a (legitimate) male heir.

December 1470

France declares war on Burgundy. As Margaret of Anjou is French, Charles the Bold relies on Edward IV reclaiming his throne for military support.

31st December 1470

Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy donates £20,000 to Edward IV to help his cause.

12th February 1471

Calais garrison begins attacking Burgundian land, exacerbating Charles the Bold's need for Edward IV to reclaim his throne.

19th February 1471

Edward IV makes alliances with the Hanseatic League and receives 14 ships. Overtures made to Clarence (who was losing loyalty to Warwick) and Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland (who owed Edward IV thanks after being reinstated his title and was threatened with losing it once again to Montagu.)

Edward IV readies returns= to England with 36 ships and 1200 men.

12th March 1471

Edward IV lands at Ravenspur, Yorkshire, claiming to be there solely to reclaim the Duchy of York.

He originally intended to land at Cromer but was warned the local Yorkist lords (Norfolk, Suffolk and Earl Rivers) had been imprisoned and Oxford was in command of the area.

Montagu owned the land near Pontefract Castle so gaining Northern support was difficult - it only came from the Percys.

11th April 1471

Edward IV's second reign begins, Henry VI is deposed for the second time.

London opens its gates to Edward IV where he reunites with Elizabeth Woodville and his children.

Clarence secretly reconciles with Edward IV.

Henry VI sent to the Tower, he will never leave again.

14th April 1471

Battle of Barnet. Yorkist Victory.

Warwick's artillery overshot as Edward IV moved his men too close. This gave the Yorkists the upper hand until Hastings' troops fled after Oxford's men chased them. However Oxford's men were not in lines which confused Exeter's men who chased them. This sent the Lancastrians into turmoil and they were finished off by the Yorkists.

Deaths: Warwick, Exeter, Montagu

This ended Warwick's Lancastrian party.

Margaret of Anjou lands at Weymouth and marches to Wales to meet with Jasper Tudor, after hearing of the numerous Lancastrian losses and major defeat.

1st May 1471

Yorkists reached Malmesbury and the Lancastrians reached Bristol. The city of Gloucester refused Margaret of Anjou in and cross into Wales there, under the instruction of Edward IV, and she was forced to move on to Tewkesbury. The Lancastrian artillery is lost in the march.

4th May 1471

Battle of Tewkesbury. Yorkist Victory.

Margaret of Anjou's forces cross at Tewkesbury and are caught by Edward IV's. Somerset's charge was held off by Yorkists and his troops were routed by Yorkists,.The collapse of Somerset's division was quickly followed by the disintegration of the other two Lancastrian divisions, under the vigorous attack of Edward's and Lord Hasting's troops, as they were chased into what is now known as the 'Bloody Meadow.'

Deaths: Edward of Westminster, Edmund Beaufort 4th Duke of Somerset, John Beaufort Marquess of Dorset, Devon, Wenlock.

The battle ended both the legitimate (Edward of Westminster) and illegitimate (Beauforts) male-line Lancastrians. This was essentially of the House of Lancaster, with only a few minor claimants remaining.

Margaret of Anjou put into the custody of the Yorkists.

May 1471

Revolt in Richmondshire ended after hearing of Lancastrian defeat at Tewkesbury.

Siege of London. Yorkist Victory

Fauconberg had returned to Calais after Barnet (he had previously been in charge of patrolling the coastline) and called 300 men from the Calais Garrison as well as men from the Cinque Ports and Canterbury to attack London after he was denied entry.

Fauconberg and his men fired on London until he was eventually fought off under the command of Earl Rivers and Lord Dudley.

The King's Army approached London on the 18th May 1471. Fauconberg fled to Southampton, where he surrendered to Gloucester on the 27th May 1471. Fauconberg was taken into Gloucester's household but was executed under obscure conditions on 22 September 1471, perhaps after an escape attempt.

21st May 1471

Edward IV re-enters London.

Henry VI dies in the Tower of London suspiciously, ending legitimate support and hopes for the Lancastrian cause.