Blore Heath
War: Wars of the Roses


Date: 12 Oct 1459
Location: England
Outcome: Yorkist victory

Principal
Commanders: Yorkist: Richard Neville

Overview: After four years of uneasy peace, the Wars of the Roses flared up again at the battle of Blore Heath. Over the past three years Margaret of Anjou maintained the pressure on ending Yorkist claims to the throne. Finally, Richard, duke of York decided it was time to act before his forces lost complete momentum. He decided to centralize his forces around Ludlow and then attack the Lancastrian forces. During the march to the concentration point, he was intercepted by the Lancastrians under Lord Audley who had been ordered by Margaret to attack the Yorkist army. The battle was joined and the Yorkist won a major victory.