Battle of Mortimers Cross 2nd Feb 1461

[nevermore]

Battle of Mortimers Cross 2nd Feb 1461

When Edward, earl of March, heard of the disaster at Wakefield he decided to move east to link-up with Warwick in London. During his movement he became aware of a Lancastrian force located in central Wales. Edward decided to change direction and engage the enemy. His army of mostly Welshmen routed the Lancastrian army of mercenaries from France and Ireland and Welshmen. After the battle Edward continued his march east to join Warwick near London; within two months he would be crowned king.

Another 77 photos on the website in the gallery.



However tranquil the place, nature still had some tricks to play. On the morning of the battle, no less than three suns were seen to rise in the West behind the Yorkist army.





This caused some dismay among its soldiers. We now know this phenomenon as "parhelion" or "parhelia", which is caused by refraction when there is some mist in the air close to the horizon. Edward went down on his knees to give thanks to God for this sign that the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost were coming to the aid of the Yorkist cause.





Although not noticeably superstitious himself, he understood the fears of his men, and chose this method to reassure them.

After the battle, he adopted the sun and its rays as one of his emblems.





The Yorkists were victorious, Jasper Tudor fled, while Owen Tudor was captured and executed and many other Welshmen were slain, possibly as many as 4,000 according to some accounts. The victory paved the way for Edward's crowning later in the year.



http://grimsbywargamessociety.webs.com/

[Steve F]

"Mortimer's Cross?"
"He was bloody livid!"

I am beginning to wonder if there is any period for which nevermore and the Grimsby club would be unable to stage big, impressive games!

[nevermore]

"Mortimer's Cross?"
"He was bloody livid!"

I am beginning to wonder if there is any period for which nevermore and the Grimsby club would be unable to stage big, impressive games!

Sugar wars maybe ?

[Phil Robinson]

Splendid, never do things by half you guys

[janner]

Great stuff 

[Stuart]

Excellent stuff and an impressive array. I had often wondered about the three suns phenomenon

[Plynkes]

Hey! That's my local battle! My school bus crossed it twice every day.

I guess Edward understood the medieval superstitious mentality.

"Yeah, sure it's a bad omen. It's a bad omen for them."

[CyberAlien312]

Excellent. I love those big battles. 

[Captain Blood]

That's a great looking spread 

[15th Panzer]

Sweet babby jeezu. Awesome array. One day...

[Dave Knight]

I am researching this battle and finding little by way of information on troop types.

Any ideas on the mercenaries (French, Breton and Irish?) used by the Lancastrians?

[Dalauppror]

Stunning looking game !!!

[Silent Invader]

Wow! 

[max]

The more the merrier. Looks really good.

[Paul]

  Very impressive!