Page 50 - History of War - Issue 10-14

GREAT BATTLES

Edward IV’s took personal control of the
battle by fighting right at the front with
his men, spurring them on to victory

fortheplate-cladmen-at-armstodecidethe “THE LANCASTRIAN ARMY COMES THUNDERING DOWN THE
day and the veteran Earl of Warwick along
years, but a giant in size, stature and military SLOPE, CRASHING IN WAVES UPON THE WAITING YORKIST HOST”
withtheyoungKingEdward–aladofjust19
accomplishment – rally their men before the
final reckoning. During the 15th Century, it was common for Then,emergingfromthesnowstormcomes
Thefieldisnowawashwithsteel.The lords and nobles fight amid the press, rallying the Yorkist army’s errant division – the Duke of
Lancastrianarmycomesthunderingdown their troops beneath their fluttering insignia Norfolk’s troops have arrived at last. Moving up
theslope,crashinginwavesuponthewaiting and now as Edward enters the killing zone the battlefield’s eastern edge they attack with
Yorkist host. The slugging match begins and likeafabledheroofold,helaysabouthis fresh vigour, some mounted and some on foot,
thousands of men hack at one another with enemywithhislongreach,breakingbonesand cascadingdownupontheLancastrianleft.The
battle-axe and bill. The Earl of Warwick, holding crushing skulls, moving constantly to bolster his moveisdecisiveandSomersetandanumber
the Yorkist centre and right flank, absorbs trembling battle-line. of leading Lancastrian lords, realising that the
a violent assault from the Lancastrian left, The field is now heaped high with the dead day is now against them, mount their steeds
commanded by the Earl of Northumberland. The anddying,andmenareslippingonthegore and gallop away. Once the Lancastrian force
Lancastrians’ greater numbers start to tell and underfoot. For all Edward’s prowess, his line sees its commanders’ pennants streaming
the Yorkists lose ground. If the Lancastrians still waivers. The superior Lancastrian soldiery from the field, the remainder turn on their heels
canpushthembackoverthesouthernslope are making their presence felt and Edward’s and run. The Lancastrian line is broken and a
their line will break and a rout will ensue. reserveisthinningout.TheYorkist’sleftwing bloody slaughter ensues.
Warwick appeals for help and messengers are is pushed back and the battle line starts to Menthrowdownweaponsandstripoff
quicklysenttoKingEdward,whorespondsby turn on its axis. With a little more effort, the armour as they run for safety, but few make
rushinginwithhisarmy’sreserveandfighting Lancastrianswilltaketheday–Edward’sfuture it.ManyheadwestwardsandmeettheCock
likeamanpossessed. hangsinthebalance. Beck on the Lancastrian right. The ground is

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