Calais Veterans Join Lancastrian Ranks
Troops commanded by Trollope transferred to the king's side near Ludford, undermining the Yorkists' confidence in their remaining force.
Wars of the Roses · Permanent subject page
Battle of Ludford Bridge
The confrontation at Ludford Bridge and the Yorkist dispersal.
35 matching records from the 512-record archive. Year range: 1459–1459. These events are grouped by recorded place and year (or by person); their original event titles, descriptions and dates are retained.
1459
Henry Advances to Ludford Defensive Line
Henry VI's army drew up opposite the Yorkist defences around Ludford Bridge during the October 1459 confrontation.
Henry Prevails Without Pitched Battle
Henry VI's large royal army prevailed at Ludford Bridge when York's troops dispersed during the night rather than fight a pitched battle.
Henrys Presence Weakens Yorkist Commitment
Henry VI's presence with the royal army made the Yorkists' claims to be defending the king from advisers difficult to sustain in open combat.
Royal Army Confronts Yorkists Across Teme
Henry VI's army approached the Yorkists' fortified line near the River Teme, creating a dangerous standoff south of Ludlow.
Royal Host Wins Without Major Engagement
Henry VI's forces won the Ludford campaign because the Yorkist army disintegrated before a major pitched battle was fought.
Salisbury Faces Henry at Ludford
Salisbury joined York and Warwick in the Yorkist concentration that confronted the royal army near Ludlow.
Trollope Defects at Ludford Bridge
Andrew Trollope and experienced soldiers from the Calais garrison deserted the Yorkist army, undermining its position before a major battle could begin.
Trollope Leads Defection to Royal Army
Andrew Trollope brought experienced men over to the Lancastrian army during the Ludford confrontation, depriving the Yorkists of crucial soldiers.
Trollope Refuses to Fight Henry
Andrew Trollope refused to lead his veterans into battle against Henry VI and took them over to the Lancastrian army near Ludlow.
Trollope Rejects Hostilities Against King
Trollope and his followers would not fight against Henry VI, choosing to leave York's army during the standoff.
Warwick Escapes Ludford Defeat
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, withdrew with the other Yorkist leaders after their army broke up near Ludford Bridge.
Warwick Joins Decision to Abandon Ludford
Warwick withdrew with the Yorkist leaders instead of risking a destructive engagement against Henry VI's superior army.
Warwick Soldiers Guard Ludford Position
Warwick's Calais veterans initially strengthened the Yorkist force at Ludford Bridge before their allegiance failed.
York Withdraws From Ludlow Castle
Richard, Duke of York, left the Ludlow district after his troops dispersed, ending the Yorkist concentration around the castle.
Yorkist Army Disperses at Ludford
Richard, Duke of York, abandoned his fortified position at Ludford Bridge when his army lost the will to confront the larger royal host.
Yorkist Coalition Collapses Without Battle
The Duke of York abandoned the Ludford position when the defection of veteran troops and the larger royal army made resistance impracticable.
Yorkist Leaders Leave Camp at Night
York and his allies abandoned their camp overnight, leaving their army without its principal commanders before the king's advance.
Buckingham Serves Royal Lancastrian Cause
Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, remained a prominent Lancastrian supporter during the royal campaign that drove York's followers from Ludford Bridge.
Calais Veterans Face Loyalty Dilemma
Warwick's professional soldiers faced the prospect of fighting their crowned king, a circumstance that contributed to their unreliable loyalty at Ludford Bridge.
Cecily Left Behind in Ludlow Castle
Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, remained in the Ludlow area after her husband's flight and was taken into Lancastrian custody.
Duchess of York Comes Under Royal Control
Cecily Neville and her younger children were left behind after Ludford Bridge and came under the protection and control of Lancastrian authorities.
Ludlow Suffers Plunder After Yorkist Flight
After the Yorkist leaders fled, soldiers loyal to Henry VI entered Ludlow and plundered the town.
Margaret Backed Campaign Toward Ludlow
Margaret of Anjou was a leading figure in the Lancastrian faction that mobilised against Richard of York during the Ludlow campaign.
Margaret Learns of Yorkist Flight
The collapse of Yorkist resistance at Ludford Bridge strengthened the political position of the Lancastrian royal household associated with Margaret of Anjou.
Royal Troops Capture Abandoned Yorkist Stores
The king's army took possession of the defensive positions and supplies abandoned by York's fleeing troops near Ludlow.
Salisbury Continues March After Blore Heath
Salisbury's victory at Blore Heath allowed him to continue toward Ludlow and unite with Richard of York's supporters.
Salisbury Links Forces with York
After Blore Heath, Salisbury's army united with forces associated with Richard of York and Warwick near Ludlow.
Warwick Unites Calais Veterans with Yorkists
Warwick's arrival with veteran soldiers from Calais increased the strength of the Yorkist gathering near Ludlow in October 1459.
York Calls Allies to Ludlow
Richard, Duke of York, summoned his supporters to the Ludlow region as confrontation with Henry VI's government intensified.
York Faces Overwhelming Royalist Strength
York's coalition was significantly outnumbered by the royal army at Ludford, prompting its leaders to consider flight rather than battle.
York Fortifies Position Near Ludlow
York's troops prepared a ditch and artillery position near Ludford Bridge while anticipating confrontation with the larger royal army.
York Retreats Toward Ludford Bridge
Richard of York's force pulled back toward Ludlow, where it prepared a defensive position to face the king's approaching troops.
Yorkists Position Artillery Beside Teme
The Duke of York's troops positioned artillery and improvised defences near the River Teme as they prepared to resist the royal host.
Young Richard Taken Into Lancastrian Custody
Richard, a young son of the Duke of York, was left with his mother after Ludford Bridge and placed in Lancastrian custody during his father's exile.