April 3rd 1471: Reconciliation on the Banbury Road

The Meeting of the Brothers

(after the style of the Ghent Manuscript Illuminations)

(Sara Goodchild)

Clarence and his men at last reach the combatants, and had to choose his father-in-law or his brother. It seems, as reported by the ‘Arrivall’ to have been already planned, and what followed was a choreographed ‘love-in’ on the Banbury road. The pomp and drama of the Arrivall’s description cannot be bettered:

The King, that time being at Warwick, and understanding his [Clarence’s] near approaching, upon an afternoon issued out of Warwick, with all his fellowship, by the space of three miles, into a fayre field towards Banbury, where he saw the Duke, his brother, in faire array, come towards him, with a great fellowship. And, when they were together, within less than an half mile, the King set his people in array, the banners [displayed] and left them standing still, taking with him his brother of Gloucester, the Lord Rivers, Lord Hastings, and few other, and went toward his brother of Clarence. And, in like wise, the Duke, for his part taking with him a few noble men, and leaving his host in good order, departed from them towards the King. And so they met betwixt both hosts, where was right kind and loving language betwixt them two, with parfite accord knit together for ever here after, with as heartily loving cheer and countenance, as might be betwixt two brethren of so great nobility and estate. And then, in like wise, spake together the two Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, and, after, the other noble men being there with them, whereof all the people there that loved them, and owed them their true service, were right glad and joyous, and thanked God highly of that joyous meeting, unity, and accord, hoping that, thereby, should grow unto them prosperous fortune, in all that they should after that have a doo. And then the trumpets and minstrels blew up, and, with that, the King brought his brother Clarence, and such as were there with him, to his fellowship, whom the said Duke welcomed into the land in his best manner, and they thanked God, and him, and honoured him as it appertained.

After this, the King, yet leaving his host standing still, with the said few persons went with his brother of Clarence to his host, whom he heartily welcomed, and promised him largely of his grace and good love, and, from thence, they all came hoole together to the King’s host, when either party welcomed and jocundly received other, with perfect friendliness; and, so, with great gladness, both hosts, with their princes, together went to Warwick, with the King, and there lodged, and in the country near adjoining.

There is no record of what Clarence’s men, recruited to fight for the Earl of Warwick thought about this sudden change of circumstances.