Richard III: His Life & Character, Reviewed in the Light of Recent Research — John Shaqi
Richard III: His Life & Character, Reviewed in the Light of Recent ResearchMarkham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
History
Richard III: His Life & Character, Reviewed in the Light of Recent Research
Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
Great Britain -- Kings and rulers -- Biography; Richard III, King of England, 1452-1485
The King only had one full day in London, in which to organise his
little army, now increased to 9,000 men, and to rest the faithful few
who had marched with him from Ravenspur. He entered London on the
11th, and in the forenoon of the 13th he marched out to encounter his
enemies. Advancing to Barnet his scouts drove out the scouts of
Warwick and chased them for half a mile. The King then marched through
the town, and reached Gladmore Heath when it was dusk. He encamped
much nearer the enemy than he intended, and by reason of the darkness
his line was not formed directly in front of the opposing force. {49}
The King's right extended beyond Warwick's left, while his left was
similarly overlapped by Warwick's right. In one respect this was
fortunate, for Warwick's artillery was in his right wing, and he kept
up a fire all through the night[11] without doing any damage to his
adversaries, because their left wing was not posted in front of the
rebel right wing; but somewhat to the eastward of it.
Warwick had drawn up his army with his brother Montagu and John Vere,
son of the attainted Earl of Oxford, in charge of the right wing
consisting mainly of cavalry; the Duke of Somerset in the centre with
archers and bill-men; and Warwick himself, with the Duke of Exeter, in
command of the left wing. The opposing force of the King was inferior
in numbers to that of the rebels. Edward, accompanied by Clarence and
Henry VI., commanded the centre in person. On the left was Lord
Hastings, while young Richard Duke of Gloucester, who was only eighteen
years of age, had charge of the right wing. A strong body of infantry
was kept in reserve. The King ordered strict silence to be observed
throughout the night.
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