Rout of Ludford Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rout of Ludford Bridge
Part of the Wars of the Roses
Date 12 October 1459 Location By Ludford Bridge, south of Ludlow, in Shropshire, England 52°21′49.5″N 2°43′8″W / 52.363750°N 2.71889°W / 52.363750; -2.71889 Result Lancastrian victory
Belligerents
House of Lancaster	House of York
Commanders and leaders
Henry VI Duke of Buckingham	Duke of York Earl of Salisbury Earl of Warwick
Strength
Perhaps 12,000–15,000	Perhaps 6,000–8,000
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

The Rout of Ludford Bridge was a key event in the early Wars of the Roses. It happened on October 12, 1459. This event was mostly peaceful, with little fighting. It ended in a defeat for the Yorkists, a major group in the war. At the time, it seemed like a big win for their rivals, the Lancastrians. However, the Lancastrians lost their advantage within six months.

Why the Conflict Started

The First Battle of St Albans

The Wars of the Roses began with the First Battle of St Albans in 1455. In this battle, Richard of York won a big victory. He was supported by his relatives, the Earl of Salisbury and his son, the Earl of Warwick. They defeated many of York's enemies at court.

York's Role and Queen Margaret's Fears

After the battle, Richard of York promised his loyalty to King Henry VI. He was even made Lord Protector, a powerful position, until 1456. But King Henry's wife, Margaret of Anjou, was worried. She thought Richard wanted to take the throne from her young son, Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales. So, Queen Margaret worked against Richard and the Nevilles. Many nobles, whose fathers had died at St. Albans, supported her.

Warwick's Actions and Royal Anger

The fighting started again because of some bold actions by Warwick. He was the leader of the English base in Calais. In late 1458, Warwick used ships from Calais to attack merchant ships from other countries. He claimed England had rights in the Channel. But his real goal was to get money to pay his soldiers.

These attacks made the royal court very angry. However, many merchants, especially in London, liked Warwick's actions. They saw it as a way to remove rivals in trade. Warwick was called to London to explain himself to the King. But there was violence between his men and the King's household. Warwick said his life was in danger. He then went back to Calais without answering any questions.

The Call to Arms

Queen Margaret saw Warwick's actions as a direct challenge to King Henry. She had already convinced Henry to move the court to the Midlands. This was where her supporters were strongest. They began gathering their armies. A meeting was called in Coventry for June 24, 1459.

York, Salisbury, and Warwick feared they would be arrested if they went to Coventry. They refused to attend. Soon after, they were declared rebels against the King.

Yorkist Armies Gather

At the start of the campaign, the Yorkist forces were spread out. York was in Ludlow in Wales. Salisbury was in Middleham Castle in North Yorkshire. Warwick was in Calais. As Salisbury and Warwick marched to join York, Queen Margaret sent forces to stop them. The Duke of Somerset was sent to intercept Warwick. James Tuchet, 5th Baron Audley was sent to intercept Salisbury. Warwick managed to avoid Somerset. But Audley's forces were defeated at the bloody Battle of Blore Heath.

The Battle at Ludford Bridge

Ludford Bridge with Lower Broad Street leading to Ludlow's Broad Gate.

Even after their loss at Blore Heath, the Lancastrian army was much larger than the Yorkist forces. The Yorkist army tried to move towards London. But the Lancastrian army, led by King Henry himself, blocked their way. The Yorkists then fell back to Worcester. There, the Duke of York went to church. He then sent messages to King Henry, saying he was still loyal. But his messages were ignored.

A Fortified Position

The Yorkists retreated further, heading towards Ludlow. They decided to make a stand near Ludford, Shropshire on October 12. Their troops dug a defensive ditch in a field. This field was on the other side of the River Teme from Ludlow. It was near the bridge that gave the battle its name. They also built barricades using carts. Cannons were placed within these barricades.

Low Morale and Defections

However, the Yorkist soldiers' spirits were low. They could see the royal flag flying in the Lancastrian army. They knew King Henry himself was there, wearing his full armor. For most of his rule, Henry had seemed like a weak leader. He had even been sick for months at a time. Richard of York and his supporters had always said they were only fighting against Henry's "bad advisors." Now, they realized their army might not fight against an army led by the King himself.

King Henry and the Duke of Buckingham, who led the royal army, offered a pardon. They said anyone who switched sides would be forgiven. Among Warwick's troops from Calais were 600 experienced soldiers led by Andrew Trollope. During the night, Trollope and his men, along with others, secretly joined the Lancastrians.

The Yorkist Leaders Flee

Facing certain defeat, York, Salisbury, and Warwick announced they were returning to Ludlow for the night. Instead, they left their armies and fled into Wales.

At dawn on October 13, the Yorkist soldiers, now without leaders, knelt down. They surrendered to King Henry and were pardoned. York had left behind his soldiers, his wife Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, and his three youngest children. These included his sons George and Richard, and his daughter Margaret. People say they were found at the Ludlow Market Cross when the Lancastrians arrived. They were then placed in the care of the Duchess's sister, Anne.

Aftermath of the Rout

Richard, Duke of York, shown in a stained glass window at St Laurence's Church, Ludlow. The town still uses the House of York's roses in its crest.

The Leaders' Escape

Richard of York, with his second son Edmund, Earl of Rutland, went to Ireland. York had been in charge there before and still had support from the Irish parliament. Salisbury, Warwick, and York's oldest son Edward, Earl of March went to South Wales. Warwick owned land and had supporters there. They took a ship, also planning to go to Ireland. But strong winds blew them across the Bristol Channel to the West Country. There, a supporter, Sir John Dynham, lent them a boat. This boat took them to Calais.

Warwick Holds Calais

On October 9, King Henry had named the Duke of Somerset to replace Warwick as the leader of Calais. However, Warwick arrived just in time, perhaps only hours before Somerset. Warwick's uncle, Lord Fauconberg, still led the soldiers and city of Calais. They continued to support Warwick.

Lancastrian Actions and Yorkist Plans

King Henry and his army returned to Coventry. There, a special meeting of Parliament was held. This Parliament was filled with Queen Margaret's supporters. They passed a law that declared York, Salisbury, Warwick, and their supporters as traitors. This meant they lost their lands and titles.

However, it was hard for the Earl of Wiltshire, who replaced York in Ireland, to raise soldiers to remove York. Somerset managed to land near Calais. He captured the nearby castle of Guînes. But he failed twice when he tried to take Calais from Warwick. Warwick was able to sail to Ireland. He avoided the royal ships led by the Duke of Exeter. In Ireland, Warwick met with the Duke of York to make new plans.

Shifting Support and Future Conflict

It seemed like the country was united behind King Henry after Ludford Bridge. But soon, people started complaining. They said Henry's court favorites were getting rich at the King's and people's expense. They also said the court was not stopping crime. These were the same complaints Richard of York had used to fight Henry's court years earlier.

Within six months of Ludford Bridge, Warwick landed in Sandwich in Kent. He had strong support from London and southeast England. He then marched into the Midlands. With some help from traitors in the Lancastrian army, he captured King Henry at the Battle of Northampton.