Two Northumbrian Battles in One Year

TWO major battles fought in Northumberland led to cessation of hostilities for seven years during the Wars of the Roses. The Yorkist King Edward IV had been trying to reconcile both warring factions until the Duke of Somerset declared for the Lancastrian cause and Henry VI and called out his forces in 1464.

Somerset assailed Newcastle upon Tyne, but was beaten back. Next he moved to Bamburgh and linked up with other Lancastrian lords and the retinues. Meanwhile Edward wanted this northern rebellion quickly quelled as he was involved in delicate negotiations with Scotland. He sent Lord Montagu to hunt down and engage Somerset’s army.

Montagu moved through Newcastle and into Northumberland, collecting troops as he went. The two armies clashed on the moors between Alnwick, Wooler and Rothbury on April 25.

The Battle of Hedgely Moor had began.  Both armies were about 5,000 strong. However the Lancastrian force had a large number of local men who knew the area, retainers of the Percys, earls of Northumberland.

Both armies formed their battlelines south east of Wooperton, just off the A697 road. The Lancastrian force stood on the highest part of the moor. Montagu led the Yorkist troops in a sudden attack along the entire length of Somerset’s army.

Lords Roos and Hungerford pulled their forces back, then they both bolted from the field. The remaining Lancastrians were now heavily outnumber with their flanks being pushed in. Montagu stiffened up his assault and the demoralised Lancastrians began to break and run with Somerset escaping on horseback.

Sir Ralph Percy, second son of the earl of Northumberland was killed during the battle.  A local legend claims that he leapt about 12 yards in full armour after receiving his mortal wound.

Stones marking Percy’s Leap and Percy’s Cross still stand on the battlefield of Hedgely Moor.

The Yorkists had achieved a clear victory, but the Lancastrian cause struggled on in Northumberland for another month, leading up to the battle of Hexham Levels where they were decisively defeated.

Lancastrian supporters began to flock to Somerset’s banner but their strength never equalled that of the Yorkist army. It is believed that the Lancastrian army was only about 4,000 strong, while Montagu’s army was back at its pre Hedgely strength.

Somerset camped around two mile south-east of Hexham on May 15. Hexham Levels is a piece of clear, level ground, south of the Devil’s Water, just off the B6306 road.

Montagu advance quickly from Hexham on receiving news of Somerset’s whereabouts.  This sudden move took the Lancastrians by surprise. Somerset only had enough time to form an improvised battleline. Meanwhile he had been reinforced by Lords Roos and Hungerford, who had fled from Hedgely Moor.

Lords Greystoke and Willoughby were sent by Montagu to take their cavalry on an outflanking movement. The horsemen swept behind the Lancastrians, trapping them against the stream.

Once again Lords Roos and Hungerford acted according to form and fled over an undefended ford from the battlefield.

Hexham was the final crushing defeat for the Lancastrian cause during this stage of the war. Many of the ordinary soldiers were slaughter. Nobles were held for ransom or as a safeguard to ensure good behaviour. The Duke of Somerset was captured and executed for his part in leading the upraising. The Yorkists pursed the fleeing Lancastrians, finally capturing and executing the deserting Lords Roos and Hungerford.

Edward IV rewarded the victorious Montagu with the Earldom of Northumberland.