Beauchamp Defends Gloucester Crossing
Sir Richard Beauchamp, governor of Gloucester, prepared the town to deny the Lancastrian army a crossing of the River Severn during its retreat before Edward IV.
Wars of the Roses · Permanent subject page
Battle of Tewkesbury
The decisive fighting in May 1471 and its aftermath.
27 matching records from the 512-record archive. Year range: 1471–1471. These events are grouped by recorded place and year (or by person); their original event titles, descriptions and dates are retained.
1471
Beauchamp Refuses Lancastrian Entry
Sir Richard Beauchamp refused to open Gloucester to Margaret of Anjou's approaching army, forcing the Lancastrians to continue toward Tewkesbury.
Gloucester Refuses Margaret Passage
The governor of Gloucester refused entry to Margaret's force, allowing Edward IV's pursuing army to close the distance before Tewkesbury.
Margaret Finds Gloucester Gates Closed
Margaret of Anjou reached Gloucester but was refused entry by its Yorkist governor, frustrating her plan to cross the Severn into Wales.
Margaret Retreats Toward Tewkesbury
After Gloucester refused passage, Margaret of Anjou's weary army moved toward Tewkesbury and prepared to fight Edward IV rather than continue its retreat.
Edmund Beaufort Defeated at Tewkesbury
Edmund Beaufort, who claimed the title Duke of Somerset, led the Lancastrian van at Tewkesbury but was defeated by Edward IV's forces.
Edward Forces Lancastrians to Stand
Exhausted by their retreat and unable to cross the Severn easily, the Lancastrians prepared a defensive position at Tewkesbury to face Edward IV.
Edward Presses Advantage Near Severn
Edward IV's pursuit left the Lancastrian force with limited room to withdraw, contributing to its decision to fight at Tewkesbury.
Edward Wins Decisive Tewkesbury Battle
Edward IV defeated the Lancastrian army at Tewkesbury; Prince Edward of Westminster died in the fighting and Margaret of Anjou was captured afterwards.
Margaret Faces Edwards Dismounted Men
Margaret of Anjou's Lancastrian soldiers faced an assault by Edward IV's army, which largely fought dismounted at Tewkesbury.
Richard Commands Vanguard at Tewkesbury
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, commanded the Yorkist vanguard at Tewkesbury, where Edward IV decisively defeated the Lancastrian army.
Wenlock Commands Lancastrian Centre
John Wenlock commanded the centre of the Lancastrian army at Tewkesbury while the Duke of Somerset led an attacking wing.
Wenlock Dies at Tewkesbury
John Wenlock, a Lancastrian commander, was killed during the defeat at Tewkesbury; a later tradition alleged that Somerset struck him down during a dispute.
Wenlocks Command Overrun at Tewkesbury
The Lancastrian centre under John Wenlock failed to halt Edward IV's army at Tewkesbury, and Wenlock was killed in the collapse.
Yorkists Prepare Dismounted Fight at Tewkesbury
Edward IV's army deployed many mounted soldiers who dismounted to fight on foot against the Lancastrian defensive position at Tewkesbury.
Edmund Beaufort Executed After Battle
Edmund Beaufort, the Lancastrian claimant to the Somerset dukedom, was executed two days after his army's defeat at Tewkesbury.
Somerset Condemned Following Tewkesbury
Edmund Beaufort was captured after the battle and summarily executed as Edward IV suppressed surviving Lancastrian commanders.
Beauchamp Receives Warning of Margaret
Sir Richard Beauchamp was alerted to the approach of Margaret of Anjou's army, which hoped to enter Wales by crossing the Severn at Gloucester.
Edward Blocks Route Through Gloucester
By preventing Margaret's army from using Gloucester, Edward IV restricted its escape routes and pressed it toward the confrontation at Tewkesbury.
Edward Orders Gloucester Bridge Secured
Edward IV warned the governor of Gloucester to prevent Margaret's retreating army from crossing the Severn into Wales.
Edward Recognises Severn Crossing Threat
Edward IV understood that a successful Lancastrian crossing of the River Severn could permit Margaret of Anjou to link up with allies in Wales.
Gloucester Bridge Becomes Strategic Barrier
The bridge at Gloucester offered a valuable western crossing of the Severn, so the town's defence restricted the Lancastrian retreat toward Wales.
Margaret Arrives at Tewkesbury Exhausted
Margaret of Anjou's troops halted at Tewkesbury after a demanding march and prepared to resist the pursuing Yorkist army.
Margaret Captured After Tewkesbury Defeat
Margaret of Anjou was taken prisoner following the defeat of her supporters at Tewkesbury, ending her immediate military challenge to Edward IV.
Margaret Changes Route at the Severn
Denied passage at Gloucester, Margaret of Anjou directed her army toward Tewkesbury while Edward IV's pursuers closed in.
Margaret Encamps Near Tewkesbury Abbey
The Lancastrian force under Margaret of Anjou took position near Tewkesbury Abbey before the decisive battle of May 1471.
Margaret Needs Bridge into Wales
A bridge across the River Severn offered Margaret's army access to Lancastrian allies in Wales, making Gloucester strategically important.