The Strife of the Roses and Days of the Tudors in the WestRogers, W. H. Hamilton (William Henry Hamilton)
History
The Strife of the Roses and Days of the Tudors in the West
Rogers, W. H. Hamilton (William Henry Hamilton)
Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603; Great Britain -- History -- Wars of the Roses, 1455-1485
"With these forces the Earl of Pembroke resolved to hinder the
rebels in their journey, and having notice that they took their
way by _Northampton_, he led the whole body of his army against
them, having given orders to Sir _Richard Herbert_ with two
thousand soldiers, to wheel about and charge the enemy in the
rear. Sir _John Coniers_ had so carefully strengthened the
rearward, that the _Welch_ were repulsed with loss, whereupon Sir
_Richard Herbert_ retired to his brother, and Sir _John Coniers_
diverted from his direct course to _London_, marched towards
_Warwick_, where the Duke of _Clarence_, and the Earl of
_Warwick_, had levied a mighty host. The Earl of _Pembroke_
followed him closely, expecting an opportunity of cutting off
some part of the enemy, as they marched disorderly, or to give
battle to the whole army: but while he was in this pursuit of
glory, a small difference between him and the Lord _Stafford_,
ruined the whole attempt; for he encamping at _Banbury_, a
question arose concerning an Inn, to which _Stafford_ pretended,
as having long used the house; but the Earl of _Pembroke_, in
regard of his preheminence as General, was resolved to lodge in
it. This so trivial distaste, (if there was no farther treason in
it) grew so high, that _Stafford_ withdrew himself and his
_English_ archers. The rebels, who soon had notice of this
unhappy discord, gave the Earl's camp the next morning a sudden
assault: the _Welch_ received the charge so stoutly, that they
took Sir _Henry Neville_, the leader; but, guilty of too much
barbarity, most cruelly slew him in cold blood, by which act they
raised so fierce a desire of revenge in the enemy, that the next
day they gave the Earl battle, and the fight was longe and cruel,
but at last the _Welchmen_ fled; in the battle five thousand of
the _Welch_ were slain, and, among the few prisoners the Earl of
_Pembroke_, and Sir _Richard Herbert_ were taken, whose heads
were soon after sacrificed to the ghost of _Neville_."
Another account says this quarrel about the Inn was the result of a
matter of love rather than war, that "a fair damsel was resident in
the house, of whom both Earls became enamoured, and contrary to the
arrangement entered into between them, the first in possession should
remain so, the Earl of Devon was dispossessed by the Earl of Pembroke,
which excited so much discord between them that, unmindful of his duty
to his Sovereign, and the cause in which he was engaged, he departed
with his power,"--and so, as a consequence thereon, the Earl of
Pembroke and his brother lost their lives, together with five thousand
soldiers, who perished on the plain of Danesmore, near Edgcote, about
three miles from Banbury, 6 July, 1469.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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