February 2nd or 3rd, 1461 - The Battle of Mortimer's Cross
On this day, February 2nd or 3rd (there remains dispute over the exact date) in 1461, Edward Duke of York led his Yorkist army to victory against a larger force of Lancastrians, who were led by the Earls of Pembroke and Wiltshire. Edward's father, the previous Duke of York, had been killed at Wakefield just two months prior, however his victory on this cold clear day successfully reversed Yorkist fortunes and would soon lead to his crowning as King Edward IV, following his even more decisive victory at Towton.
The engagement is also know as 'The Battle of the Three Suns', this being due to the occurrence of a meteorological phenomenon known as a Parhelion. The extreme cold, coupled with certain unusual characteristics in the air produced the apparent appearance of three suns in the sky.
This event reputedly unnerved Edward's soldiers and seeing panic spreading throughout his army, the quick-witted Earl of March announced that his soldiers were witnessing a representation of the Holy Trinity. Surely an omen for their victory over the Lancastrians? The Yorkist soldiers were said to be re-assured and filled with enthusiasm for the coming battle. The 'Davies' Chronicle' records of the portents;
“About 10 at the clock before noon, were seen 3 suns in the firmament shining full clear, were of the people had great marvel, and thereof were aghast. The noble Earl Edward them comforted and said, 'be of good comfort and dread not; this is a good sign, for these three suns betoken the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and therefore let us have good heart, and in the name of Almighty God go we against our enemies.
It is likely that the battle began with a heavy discharge of arrows by the concealed Yorkist archers on the bank. Such a discharge at a relatively short range will have undoubtedly inflicted heavy casualties on the Lancastrian order of battle and caused a sudden swerve towards the centre of the army by the left wing, which in turn will have thrown the Lancastrians into confusion.
The bloody affair reportedly lasted all morning and into the afternoon. A Lancastrian flanking ploy failed and the troops retreated south toward Kingsland. Others drowned trying to cross the freezing waters of the Lugg or were ruthlessly cut down by Edward's reserves lying in wait on the opposite bank. Jasper Tudor faced a hopeless cause. He mounted a horse and fled the field to seek refuge in his native Wales. The victory was Edward's. As was to be his custom in future battles, he urged his men to capture the leaders and spare the regular soldiers of the defeated Lancastrian army. Only four months later, the brave young Earl was crowned King Edward IV.
Of the almost 4,000 souls who died on this day, many are buried within the 'Clamp', a mound which remains vigilant over the battlefield today.
- From The Cultural Experience Newsletter - January 29th
On this day, February 2nd or 3rd (there remains dispute over the exact date) in 1461, Edward Duke of York led his Yorkist army to victory against a larger force of Lancastrians, who were led by the Earls of Pembroke and Wiltshire. Edward's father, the previous Duke of York, had been killed at Wakefield just two months prior, however his victory on this cold clear day successfully reversed Yorkist fortunes and would soon lead to his crowning as King Edward IV, following his even more decisive victory at Towton.
The engagement is also know as 'The Battle of the Three Suns', this being due to the occurrence of a meteorological phenomenon known as a Parhelion. The extreme cold, coupled with certain unusual characteristics in the air produced the apparent appearance of three suns in the sky.
This event reputedly unnerved Edward's soldiers and seeing panic spreading throughout his army, the quick-witted Earl of March announced that his soldiers were witnessing a representation of the Holy Trinity. Surely an omen for their victory over the Lancastrians? The Yorkist soldiers were said to be re-assured and filled with enthusiasm for the coming battle. The 'Davies' Chronicle' records of the portents;
“About 10 at the clock before noon, were seen 3 suns in the firmament shining full clear, were of the people had great marvel, and thereof were aghast. The noble Earl Edward them comforted and said, 'be of good comfort and dread not; this is a good sign, for these three suns betoken the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and therefore let us have good heart, and in the name of Almighty God go we against our enemies.
It is likely that the battle began with a heavy discharge of arrows by the concealed Yorkist archers on the bank. Such a discharge at a relatively short range will have undoubtedly inflicted heavy casualties on the Lancastrian order of battle and caused a sudden swerve towards the centre of the army by the left wing, which in turn will have thrown the Lancastrians into confusion.
The bloody affair reportedly lasted all morning and into the afternoon. A Lancastrian flanking ploy failed and the troops retreated south toward Kingsland. Others drowned trying to cross the freezing waters of the Lugg or were ruthlessly cut down by Edward's reserves lying in wait on the opposite bank. Jasper Tudor faced a hopeless cause. He mounted a horse and fled the field to seek refuge in his native Wales. The victory was Edward's. As was to be his custom in future battles, he urged his men to capture the leaders and spare the regular soldiers of the defeated Lancastrian army. Only four months later, the brave young Earl was crowned King Edward IV.
Of the almost 4,000 souls who died on this day, many are buried within the 'Clamp', a mound which remains vigilant over the battlefield today.
- From The Cultural Experience Newsletter - January 29th
