Edgecote, battle of

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Edgecote, battle of, 1469. In July 1469 Edward IV was in Nottingham to put down a rising in Yorkshire led by ‘Robin of Redesdale’; this may have been instigated by the earl of Warwick. Warwick unmasked his intentions in a manifesto at Calais on 12 July, and then marched on London. Reinforcements for the king led by William Herbert, earl of Pembroke, and Humphrey Stafford, earl of Devon, reached Banbury on 25 July. Here the earls apparently quarrelled over billeting arrangements. Next day, Pembroke's Welsh force, having camped separately, was continuing its march when, 6 miles north-eastward, it was unexpectedly overwhelmed at Edgecote by a small force of Warwick's supporters. Pembroke was captured and beheaded by Warwick's order. On hearing the news, Edward's army deserted and he became Warwick's prisoner.

R. L. Storey

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