Battle of Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England
What happened
King Edward IV and his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester, led the Yorkists against the Lancastrian army of Prince Edward of Westminster and the Duke of Somerset. Queen Margaret of Anjou landed in England with her son, Prince Edward, hoping to win back the throne for the House of Lancaster. King Edward IV caught their tired army at Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. The Lancastrian army was defeated, and Prince Edward was lost in the battle.
Why it matters
Result: Yorkist victory. Leaders: Edward IV / Duke of Gloucester against Prince Edward / Duke of Somerset. Why it matters: The battle ended the Lancastrian royal family's hopes of the throne. Edward IV ruled until his death in 1483.
What came next
King Henry VI died in the Tower of London soon afterward. Margaret of Anjou was ransomed by King Louis XI of France in 1475.
Did you know?
Margaret of Anjou landed in England on the very same day that her allies lost the Battle of Barnet.
Timeline
- 1471 CEMargaret lands at Weymouth on the day the Yorkists win at Barnet.
- 4 May 1471 CEEdward IV defeats the Lancastrians at Tewkesbury.
- 1471 CEHenry VI dies in the Tower of London.
- 1475 CELouis XI of France pays Margaret's ransom.
- 25 August 1482 CEMargaret of Anjou dies.