Battle of Shrewsbury facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Shrewsbury
Part of the Glyndŵr Rising
Death of Henry "Harry Hotspur" Percy, from a 1910 illustration by Richard Caton Woodville Jr.
Date 21 July 1403 Location Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England Result Decisive royalist victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	House of Percy
Commanders and leaders
Henry IV Henry, Prince of Wales (WIA)	Henry "Hotspur" Percy  † Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester  Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas (POW)
Strength
14,000	<14,000
Casualties and losses
3,000+	2,000+

The Battle of Shrewsbury was a major medieval battle. It took place on July 21, 1403. The fight was between the army of King Henry IV and a rebel army. The rebel army was led by Henry "Harry Hotspur" Percy. This battle was important because it was the first time English archers fought against each other on English soil. It also showed how powerful the longbow was. The battle ended the Percy family's challenge to King Henry IV's rule.

Much of the fighting happened near what is now Battlefield, Shropshire, England. This spot is about three miles north of the town of Shrewsbury. Today, you can find Battlefield Church and Battlefield Heritage Park there.

Why the Battle Happened

The Percys and King Henry IV

The Percy family had helped Henry IV become king in 1399. Before that, he was fighting against King Richard II of England. After Henry IV became king, the Percys continued to support him. They helped him in Wales against Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion. They also helped him in Scotland, both in talks and in battles.

King Henry IV had many rich supporters. He promised them land, money, and special favors. But after the war, some of these promises were not kept. The Percys were promised land in Cumberland, but it was given to someone else. They also did not get the money they were promised.

The Percys Rebel

Because of these broken promises, the Percys decided to rebel. Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, and Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester, publicly said they no longer supported King Henry IV. They claimed the King had broken his word in several ways. For example, they said he had promised not to tax the church without Parliament's approval. They also said he refused to pay a fair ransom for Edmund Mortimer. Mortimer was being held by Owain Glyndŵr. The King also kept Scottish nobles captured at Homildon Hill as his own prisoners. The Percys wanted to release them for ransom.

Hotspur Gathers an Army

Henry Percy, known as "Hotspur," started gathering his army in July 1403. He began with about 200 of his own men. He then marched south to meet his uncle, Thomas Percy. Some nobles joined him, like Lord Bardolf. Most of his army came from Cheshire. This area was not friendly to King Henry IV. Many experienced soldiers, especially skilled archers, joined Hotspur from Cheshire. Some of these archers had even been bodyguards for King Richard II.

Hotspur hoped to get help from Wales from Owain Glyndŵr. But Glyndŵr was fighting in another part of Wales and did not know about Hotspur's plans. So, Glyndŵr's main forces did not join the rebels. However, some Welsh fighters from the Cheshire borders might have joined Hotspur. The rebels then marched towards Shrewsbury. This was a well-defended town in Shropshire.

King Henry IV Responds

King Henry IV learned about the Percy forces on July 12. He was marching his army north to help the Percys fight the Scots. He got the news at Burton-on-Trent. The King quickly changed his plans. He turned his army and marched west towards Shrewsbury. He arrived there before the Percys could capture the town.

Both armies reached the Shrewsbury area on July 20. They set up their camps north and south of the Severn River. The river loops around the town. Hotspur first stayed at the house of William Betton. His army camped close to the town. The next day, the King's forces crossed the River Severn at Uffington. This was about a mile east of Shrewsbury. They wanted to block Percy's escape route to Chester. But they failed.

The armies then took positions in a large field. This field was known by several names, including "Haytleyfield." The battle began in the manor of Harlescott. This was about a mile southwest of where Battlefield Church now stands. The fight took place in a large field of peas.

Army Sizes

It is hard to know the exact size of each army. Old records often made the numbers seem larger than they were. One record, Annales Henrici Quarti, says King Henry's army had 14,000 soldiers. Another record says Percy's army also had about 14,000 men. Most people agree that King Henry's army was larger.

Negotiations Before Battle

On the morning of Saturday, July 21, the two sides talked. Thomas Prestbury, the Abbot of Shrewsbury, and the Abbot of Haughmond presented the King's offers. Hotspur refused any offers. Thomas Percy spoke to the King, and they exchanged insults. Henry Percy was somewhat willing to accept the King's terms, but his uncle Thomas Percy was not. The talks ended around noon. Then, the two armies moved closer to start the fight. One rebel soldier changed sides and joined the King's army. The King also honored some of his own followers by making them knights.

The Battle Begins

Battle of Shrewsbury, an illustration from Pennant's 'A tour in Wales', 1781

The battle started about two hours before sunset. King Henry IV raised his sword. The fight began with a huge attack of arrows. Many men were killed or wounded by arrows before they could even fight hand-to-hand. Percy's Cheshire bowmen were very skilled. A writer named Thomas Walsingham said that the King's men "fell like leaves in Autumn." He meant that many died quickly.

According to another record, the Dieulacres Chronicle, the King's right side of the army ran away. This part was led by the Earl of Stafford, who was killed. It seems more soldiers might have run away too. After the battle, some rebels from Cheshire were found with about 7,000 horses they had taken.

Prince Henry's Injury

Prince Henry, Prince of Wales, who was the King's son, was hit in the face by an arrow. He got a very bad wound. But he later got better thanks to a skilled doctor named John Bradmore. The doctor used honey, alcohol, and a special tool to remove the arrowhead. Prince Henry was left with a permanent scar. Doctor Bradmore wrote about treating Prince Henry in his book, Philomena.

Hotspur's Last Charge

Enough of the King's men stayed on the field. Especially on the left side, which was led by Prince Henry. Hotspur, perhaps feeling desperate, led a charge to try and kill the King himself. During this attack, the King's flag was knocked down. Its bearer, Sir Walter Blount, was killed by Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas.

Hotspur himself was killed during this charge. People say he was shot in the face with an arrow when he opened his helmet visor. At first, people didn't realize he was dead. Some of the northern knights even cheered, thinking King Henry IV was dead. But King Henry IV was alive. He shouted, "Henry Percy is dead!" When no one replied, it confirmed that Hotspur was truly gone. The battle ended soon after. Many people didn't even know who had won. The King's army lost more soldiers than the rebels. King Henry IV almost lost his life and his throne.

What Happened After the Battle

Hotspur's Burial and Display

Henry Percy was first buried with honors by his nephew, Thomas Nevill, 5th Baron Furnivall. This happened in Whitchurch, Shropshire. But soon, rumors spread that he was not really dead. So, the King ordered his body to be dug up. To prove he was dead, Hotspur's body was put on display in the marketplace in Shrewsbury. It was later divided and shown in other towns like Chester, London, Bristol, and Newcastle upon Tyne. His head was sent to York and put on the north gate, facing his family's lands. In November, his remains were given back to his wife, Elizabeth.

Other rebel leaders, like the Earl of Worcester, Sir Richard Venables, and Sir Henry Boynton, were also captured and punished.

Battlefield Church

Battlefield Church is believed to be built over a large burial pit. This pit was dug right after the battle for the dead soldiers. King Henry IV ordered this memorial chapel to be built and paid for it. Prayers were said there for all the dead soldiers from both sides. The chapel was replaced by a church in 1460. It was fixed up again in 1862. When workers were digging a drain in the churchyard, they found many bones. This might have been part of the burial pit.