TEWKESBURY

BATTLE OF.—Fought, May 4th, 1471. The very day of the battle of Barnet, Queen Margaret landed at Plymouth. At the news of the defeat of Warwick she sank to the ground in despair; but the arguments of her friends soon awakened her natural courage, and she advanced to Bath. It was there resolved to try to effect a junction with the Earl of Pembroke, who had a large force in Wales; but the people of Gloucester had secured the only bridge over the Severn, and at Tewkesbury it was found that Edward was at hand with a more numerous army. The Lancastrian leaders then drew up their forces without the town; the Yorkists, led by the King’s brother, the Duke of Gloucester, fell on them furiously, and after a short but gallant resistance, the Lancastrians were totally routed. The Queen and Prince were made prisoners; the latter being led into the royal tent, Edward demanded of him what had brought him to England. “To recover my father’s kingdom and heritage, from his father and grandfather to him, and from him to me lineally descended,” replied the undaunted youth. Edward struck him in the face with his gauntlet, and Gloucester, Clarence, and some others despatched him with their swords. Edward then set out for London, and on the evening of his arrival king Henry died in the Tower, of grief as was given out, but there can be little doubt that he was murdered by order of Edward. The guilt of the deed, though without any proof, was afterwards laid on the Duke of Gloucester.