Battles & Campaigns · 1460
Battle of Northampton
Delapré Abbey, Northampton, England, UK
What happened
The Yorkists attacked in heavy rain, which made the Lancastrian cannons almost useless. Lord Grey's men laid down their weapons and let the Yorkists into the camp. The battle lasted about half an hour, and Henry VI was captured in his tent.
Why it matters
Capturing the king gave the Yorkists control of the government. It is described as the first battle in England in which artillery was used.
What came next
Henry spent that night as a prisoner at Delapré Abbey and was then taken to London.
Did you know?
Delapré Abbey's grounds are now a registered battlefield, and the house opened to the public in 2018 for the first time in 900 years.
Timeline
- 23 Sep 1459Battle of Blore Heath.
- 10 Jul 1460Battle of Northampton.
- 29 Dec 1460Battle of Wakefield.
- 17 Mar 2018Delapré Abbey opens to the public.