Battle of Norrthampton - Picking Roses

Then in 1455 Henry recovered his senses. The Council of Regency was disbanded and Margaret and Somerset put back into office. It was at this point that a famous incident is supposed to have taken place, though contemporary evidence for it is lacking. A large group of nobles was taking the air in the gardens of the Temple Church in the city of London during a court meeting when York entered through one gate and Somerset a few seconds later by way of another. York then picked a white rose from a bush in the garden, the white rose being a heraldic badge associated with his family. Somerset promptly picked a red rose from a different bush. Warwick then picked a white rose, followed by nobles supporting York, while those backing Somerset hurried to pick red roses and those unwilling to commit themselves in so obviously a dangerous dispute rushed to get out of the garden.

from "The Battle of Northampton, 1460" by Rupert Matthews

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A book dedicated to the Battle of Northampton, fought as part of the Wars of the Roses in 1460. In 1460 the Yorkist faction in the Wars of the Roses seemed doomed. The Duke of York was dead, his sons in exile, his friends in hiding and his army scattered. Then Edward, the dashing new Duke of York, returned to England from Ireland and summoned his supporters to join him. Among those heading to support Edward was the Earl of Warwick, but at Northampton Warwick encountered a powerful Lancastrian army under the Duke of Buckingham. The four hours of savage fighting that followed changed the situation entirely and gave the Yorkists the upper hand. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.

King Stephen as military commander

Stephen was no mere brute who dashed into battle with physical courage, he understood and managed the business of war exceptionally well. Perhaps the greatest tribute paid to Stephen’s military skills was the fact that none of his men ever went hungry. No matter how many men he had, nor how far they had to march there was always enough food. Given the rudimentary nature of the supply system of medieval armies, this was a rare and valuable gift. Most medieval commanders expected their men to forage to some extent - a fact that made any passing army unpopular with the people unlucky enough to live along its route. Stephen kept his men fed, and that meant that he was able to keep them together as an army ready for action at a moment’s notice. He was also able to keep his men under his eye to ensure discipline was maintained. Stephen’s armies were as well prepared, well trained and well discipline as any 12th century army could be, and he deserves the credit for that.

Stephen’s contemporaries also maintain that he was a master at siege warfare. This was a skill that many commanders never managed to acquire. Nobles and kings were trained to fight as knights, charging into battle with lance and sword. The dirty business of digging trenches, constructing catapults and building battering rams was, many thought, somewhat beneath them. They could hire carpenters and builders to do that sort of work. Not so Stephen, he believed that if he was going to besiege a castle, or defend one, he needed to know how to do so himself. As a young man he set out to learn as much about siegecraft as he could. It was to stand him in good stead.

from "The Battle of Lincoln" by Rupert Matthews

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A book dedicated to the Siege of Lincoln that marked a turning point in the Wars of Anarchy during the reign of King Stephen. A civil war between King Stephen and his rival Empress Matilda broke out in 1136. By 1141 England had fallen in to near anarchy with nobles using the unrest to pursue local feuds, slaughter rivals and pillage each other's land. In 1141 Stephen moved to capture Lincoln Castle and put down one such recalcitrant nobleman. While there he was surprised and attacked by a larger army led by Matilda. The ensuing battle was complex and confused, but it ended with Stephen utterly defeated - for now. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.

Trouble in Lincolnshire leads to a battle in Rutland, 1470

Sometime in 1469 two landholders in Lincolnshire fell out over a piece of land. The dispute grew bitter as both sides refused any offer of mediation and began seeking friends and supporters among their neighbours. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the original dispute, the spreading storm had important connotations.
Sir Thomas Burgh of Gainsborough was one party to the argument. He came from an ancient and wealthy Lincolnshire family, though one that had never risen to the nobility. He himself had served as MP for Gainsborough and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Although the Burgh family was not openly loyal to either side during the earlier bout of fighting, Sir Thomas did find favour with Edward IV in the early 1460s. When Edward rode away from the Earl of Warwick’s Middleham Castle in 1469, he made straight for Gainsborough to seek support and protection from Burgh. Sir Thomas had called out his retainers and escorted the king south while both wondered if Warwick would launch a treacherous attack. Edward therefore owed Burgh a personal favour.
The other man involved in the dispute was Richard, Lord Welles. Socially and materially, Welles was a cut above Burgh. His estates were wide and wealthy, while he himself came from a family that had been ennobled seven generations earlier. He was well connected and popular. In 1461 he had been on the Lancastrian side at the First Battle of St Albans, but he had soon convinced the Yorkists that he had acted out of loyalty to King Henry. By 1463 he was pardoned and returned to his estates. Not only was Welles a wealthy baron, he had attracted to his cause his two brothers in law, Sir Thomas of Lande and Sir Thomas Dymmock. Both these men were wealthy, and Dymmock was the Royal Champion of England. This was a largely ceremonial role, but it did involve the holder in close contact with the monarch - so Edward was again involved.
The dispute was to end with a savage battle fought in Rutland near Empingham.

From "The Battle of Losecoat Field" by Rupert Matthews.

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A book dedicated to the only battle ever fought in Rutland - the Battle of Losecoat Field, a turning point in the Wars of the Roses. In 1470 the Yorkist King Edward IV was apparently secure on his throne, but unknown to him he was about to be betrayed by his own brother, George of Clarence, and the powerful nobleman Richard Earl of Warwick. The rebellion began in Lincolnshire with an uprising of discontented peasanats egged on by fugitive Lancastrians, Edward hurried north up the Great North Road with a small force unaware that he was betrayed and that he would meet his enemies near Empingham in Losecoat Field. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.

The Sieges of Newark

Newark is today a charming market town in Nottinghamshire perched on the River Trent and nestled between the ancient ruined castle and the equally ancient but entirely intact Church of St Mary Magdalene with its soaring spire. There are shops and markets, banks and estate agents - exactly what you would expect in this sort of bustling but somehow quiet country town.
But it was not always like this. There was a time when the fate of kingdoms was decided here. The three sieges of Newark were fought during the English Civil War between the Royalist Cavaliers and the Parliamentarian Roundheads. The town had declared for the king early in the war, but its strategic position meant that Parliament coveted it. The first attack by the Roundheads came within weeks of the outbreak of the war. It was resisted with some ease, but Parliament was not to be frustrated so easily. They came back a few months later with a larger army, larger guns and a good deal more determination. That second siege was more serious than the first and culminated in a pitched battle fought outside the walls.
For Newark worse was to come with the third assault, or Great Siege, which began in 1645 and dragged on to 1646. That offensive saw the town endure enormous hardships as hunger and disease stalked the streets claiming victims as surely as did the mortar shells and cannon balls that pounded the town.
These were hard times for the town, which sustained massive damage to its fabric, inhabitants and prosperity. And yet Newark somehow survived it all. Despite the carnage, bloodshed and violence the town kept going. It keeps going still and if it is apparently unaltered by the sieges, appearances can be deceptive. Tucked away in back gardens are entrenchments and bastions that date back to the sieges. The castle itself was ruined during the Civil War and now stands as a gaunt and sombre reminder of the damage that war can do to even the most peaceful of towns.


from "The Sieges of Newark" by Rupert Matthews

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The Battle of Wimbledon ad568

A book dedicated to the epic Dark Age Battle of Wimbledon,
a turning point in the wars fought during the Age of Arthur.
In the chaos that engulfed Britain after the death of the enigmatic Arthur, one battle stands out – Wimbledon. This was a key battle fought in the heart of the Dark Ages for control of southern Britain that pitched the King of Kent against Ceawlin of Winchester. The victory won here decided the fate of Britain for a generation. The area is now heavily built up, but the key features of the battle can still be traced on the ground.
This book brings an exciting new look to the Wars of the Age of Arthur. The emphasis is on the battle and the men who fought there. There are detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies, tactical diagrams explain how the troops formed up and moved, and a study of the commanders. The course of the battle is followed with the aid of maps, relating to the ground today. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described.

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Vikings occupy Leicester

A Viking warrior of the early 10th century. This man wears an iron helmet, padded with wool and leather. His chain mail byrnie  reaches to the elbows and below the waist. It is probably backed by a quilted shirt with thick padding, the skirts of which can be seen below the mail. His shirt and leggings are of wool, the boots of leather. His shield is of wood faced with toughened leather. The central boss is of iron and covers the handgrip. He has a pair of light javelins to throw at the enemy at the start of a battle. His main weapon is a hand axe. Wielded single handed this weapon was effective in battle, but could also be thrown. He has a sword as a reserve weapon, the scabbard being seen behind the shield.


from "The Sieges of Leicester" by Rupert Matthews.

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The sack of Leicester in 1645 was the worst war crime of the English Civil War. The town was left a heap of smoking ruins inhabited by the dead, the dying and the mutilated. Yet this was neither the first nor last time Leicester would be under siege.
Leicester was largely a Viking town when King Edmund of Wessex attacked in 943. The siege proved to be short and had a surprising ending. The terrible siege of May 1645 was far more destructive. Leicester was left in ruins by the siege, the assault and the brutal sacking that followed. No other event in the English Civil War shocked contemporaries so much as the bloodshed and brutality that took place here at the hands of Prince Rupert’s cavaliers. The siege of June 1645 was short and almost pleasant by comparison.
This book brings an exciting new look to the study of English warfare, and to the sieges of Leicester in particular. The emphasis is on the sieges and the men who fought there. There are analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies, tactical diagrams explain how the defences were constructed and the way the attackers set about overcoming them. The courses of the sieges are followed with the aid of maps, relating to the ground today. The aftermath of the sieges are followed and the fatal consequences of failure for King Charles are explained.