Tag: Wars of the Roses

Uncategorized

New Information Panels at Edgcote

Northamptonshire Battlefields Society is pleased to announce that three new information panels have been installed on the Registered Battlefield at Edgcote. The Battle of Edgcote, fought on 24th July 1469, is the least well known of the three Registered Battlefields in the County, and these boards will make a significant contribution towards increasing the general understanding of the battle and its importance. The boards incorporate the new research undertaken by Northamptonshire Battlefields Society for the 550th anniversary in 2019, including correcting the date of the battle.

Information board at the foot of Edgcote Lodge Hill.
Image (c) Graham Evans and Northamptonshire Battlefields Society.

The new boards have been installed following a joint project between Northamptonshire Battlefields Society, the Battlefields Trust and the Wills Estate, who manage the area which includes the majority of the Registered Battlefield.

Graham Evans (L), Chair of Northamptonshire Battlefields Society and Simon Marsh (R), Research Co-ordinator for the Battlefields Trust at one of the boards situated on Danes Moor, the location of most of the fighting.
Image (c) Graham Evans and Northamptonshire Battlefields Society.

The three boards cover the campaign, the battle and the aftermath in three different locations on the Registered Battlefield. All of these are accessible from public footpaths across the Wills Estate.

Image (c) Simon Marsh

In addition to written information about the battle and its history, the boards include maps, and also illustrations by noted historical artist, Graham Turner

Graham Evans, Chair of Northamptonshire Battlefields Society said ‘this is the last of the three Registered Battlefields in the county to have updated 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. ’

Simon Marsh, Research Co-ordinator for the Battlefields Trust, added ‘its been a real pleasure working with Northamptonshire Battlefields Society and Wills Estates on this project and it shows what can be done through partnership working between local and national organisations’.

Historical Note: 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, otherwise known as “Warwick’s Rebellion”. This saw the Earl of Warwick (‘The Kingmaker’) break from Edward IV, who he had helped become king in 1461. Warwick was intending to replace Edward with his brother George, whose marriage to Warwick’s elder daughter, Isabel, he had arranged against the king’s wishes.

Warwick had caused a rebellion to breakout in Yorkshire, led by the mysterious Robin of Redesdale. The battle occurred when the army of the Earl of Pembroke, one of Edward’s most prominant supporters, was marching to join with Edward IV at Nottingham, encountered Redesdale’s rebels, who were marching to join the army of the Earl of Warwick. Pembroke was defeated and taken to Northampton, where he was executed. Edward IV was subsequently taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick. 

For further information email northampton.battlefields@gmail.com

Earl of Warwick, King Edward IV, Latest News, Queen Eleanor's Cross, Uncategorized, Wars of the Roses

Battle of Edgcote Anniversary Walk

Edgecote is another of Northamptonshires forgotten battlefields. This one marked the beginning of the second stage of the Wars of the Roses – Warwick’s rebellion and according to legend, decided by a Banbury barmaid. The Yorkist forces were slaughtered including 152 Welsh nobles. Their leader William Herbert, earl of Pembroke, captured and executed at Northampton’s Queen Eleanor Cross whilst Warwick and Edward’s brother Clarence looked on

.

Date: 26 July 2017

Where: The Griffin Inn, Chipping Warden

Time: 7:30pm

Battle of Northampton 1460, King Edward IV, King Henry VI, Latest News, Northampton history, Northampton in the 15th century, Queen Eleanor's Cross, Uncategorized, Wars of the Roses

This years memorial walk in pictures

Photos By Phil Steele

Battle of Northampton 1460, Coppini, Earl of Warwick, King Edward IV, King Henry VI, Latest News, medieval knights, Northampton history, Northampton in the 15th century, Queen Eleanor's Cross, Wars of the Roses

Battle of Northampton Event 15/16 July 2017

The international award winning Northamptonshire Battlefield Society will be at Delapre Abbey on 15/16 July for the commemoration of the 1460 battle where we will be giving walks, talks and demonstrations. Come and play our new battle of Northampton game. We will have our new Northamptonshire and Rutland Wars of the Roses Gazetteer and battle heraldry posters on sale as well as the book and game.

delapre poster 2017

 

 

Battle of Northampton 1460, Coppini, Earl of Warwick, King Henry VI, Latest News, Northampton in the 15th century, Queen Eleanor's Cross, Wars of the Roses

Battle of Northampton Memorial Walk 10 July 7:00pm

All welcome. Meet at Delapre Abbey at 7:00pm to walk to Queen Eleanor Cross to lay flowers for the fallen of Northamptonshires medieval battles. Will include a mini tour and talk on the 1460 battle.DSCF9513

Latest News, Meetings, threat to battlefield, Wars of the Roses

Northampton Battlefields Society receives new international award

NBS has received an international award. The silver plated figurine of Nathaniel Wade was given to NBS at the International Guild of Battlefield Guides annual dinner on Saturday 14 January 2017 and collected by Vice-Chair Phil Steele and committee member Graham Evans.
The GBG Nathaniel Wade Award is named after one of the first Battlefield Guides. Wade was a Bristol lawyer and the hardworking creator of the rebel army during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.

 

The award publicly recognises the contribution of an individual, group or organisation associated with the GBG, who through their efforts has made a significant contribution to the craft of battlefield guiding and the wider Military History community. Last year it was awarded to the Belgian Tourist Office so we are in good company.

In July 2016, Chair Mike Ingram and the society received the Presidents Award from the Battlefields Trust for outstanding contribution to battlefield preservation and interpretation which was presented by Sir Robert Worcester. Previous to that, in 2015 it received an award from the NN4eight local community group for its work on battlefield preservation.

Chair Mike Ingram said afterwards “We are proud and pleased to receive the award and thank the GBG for considering us. It reflects the commitment and the hard work of our committee and members to preserving nationally important battles such as Northampton.”

 

award

The award came the day after NBS gave a display and talk about their work to the GBG at Delapre Golf Club.

 

 

Latest News, Meetings, Richard III, Talks, Wars of the Roses

Talk Thursday 26 January 2017. Dominic Smee and Richard Knox – The Armour of Richard III

Dominic Smee has a form of scoliosis similar to King Richard’s and for the recent Channel 4 documentary, Richard III: The New Evidence, Dominic was subject to various riding and training tests to determine if the condition could have had any negative effects on the King’s ability to fight in battle.

Richard Knox, Heritage Development Manager at Bosworth Battlefield Centre opens the talk by giving a history of armour, relating it to Richard 111. Dominic will then talk about his experience during the making of the Channel Four documentary. The talk concludes with Richard arming Dominic in the armour made by Channel Four and adding his own pieces.
Free to full NBS members otherwise £5.00 on the door.dom smee 2

Latest News, New Game, Northampton history, Northampton in the 15th century, Wars of the Roses

YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK – NOW PLAY THE GAME

 

We are pleased to announce that we are launching our new Battle of Northampton 1460 game at Kettering Museum on Saturday 21 January from 11am.

“Northampton 1460” is a two player game of the nationally significant Wars of the Roses battle fought on the 10th July 1460 in the fields of Delapre Abbey, to the south of Northampton. The game is quick and easy to learn and enables the players to refight the battle on their own dining room table.1460-cover-small

The game provides the players with the opportunity to examine the decisions made by the opposing commanders on the day, as well as those of an array of supporting characters such as Henry VI, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Queen Margaret. Players can either follow in their footsteps or change the course of history. The game system presents each player with the decisions they could have made on the day as well as those that were made and provides for a range of outcomes. The scoring system enables the players to see how well they have done compared to their historical predecessors, – so it is possible to lose the battle and still win the game!

The game book contains all the components needed to play, – accurate heraldic game counters representing the nobles present, player decision cards, a game board and cards that control the weather, as well as clear, concise rules and a description of the battle. All the players need to add are some dice.

game-components

This two player game, which can also be played solo, is suitable for both children and adults, providing an insight to the events both preceding and during this important battle in the bloody and treacherous Wars of the Roses. Produced in a book format it is that rare thing, – an educational game that is also fun to play.
Speed of set up and play means that you can play the game multiple times over to try out different plans and strategies.
Can you change the course of history and defeat Warwick the Kingmaker?
The game is based upon the very successful Northampton Battlefields Society participation game “Northampton 1460” which the Society uses at historical shows and events to explain the battle and promote the Society. Originally intended only to be used for public display repeated requests from participants asking where the game could be bought has led to the Society producing a version that can be played at home.

Age 8+
Retail Price £12.99 Full NBS members £9.99

Falkes de Breauté, Henry III, King Edward IV, King Henry VI, King John, Latest News, Meetings, Northampton in the 13th Century, Richard III, Society AGM, Talks, Wars of the Roses

Northampton Battlefield Society – Forthcoming Events

 

29 September – Phil Steele, Medieval Battle in contemporary illustrations.

20 October – AGM and talk Richard Brooks, William Marshal: The Knight who saved England

24 November – Paul Blinkhorn, Anglo-Saxon Northamptonshire

December – No talk

26 January – Dominic Smee and Richard Knox, The armour of Richard III

All talks at the Marriott Hotel, Eagle Drive, Northampton. 7:30pm start and are free to full NBS members otherwise £5.00 on the door.

dom smee 2

Battle of Northampton 1460, Coppini, Earl of Warwick, King Edward IV, King Henry VI, Latest News, medieval knights, Northampton history, Northampton in the 15th century, Queen Eleanor's Cross, Richard Neville, Wars of the Roses

1460 Battle of Northampton Anniversary Event in pictures

Chairmans award for outstanding preservation and interpretation presented by Sir Robert Worcester
Northampton Battlefield Society stand
Vice chair Phil Steele accepts the award for outstanding battlefield society on NBS behalf from Sir Robert Worcester
kiddie knights
battlefield tour led by the chairman
Flowers laid at Queen Eleanor’s Cross in memory of the fallen
NBS Northampton Battlefield model
foot tournament
foot tournament
Firepower demo
A full stand. Committee member Anthony Rich describes the battle