April 6th 1471: Warwick Wrong-Footed

One of the Duke of Gloucester’s archers

(Tewkesbury Medieval Festival)

As the men on the walls of Coventry watched the long columns of Edward’s army pass by the city, not returning to Warwick but marching south towards London they must have wondered about their leader’s strategy. He had avoided confronting Edward, initially maybe because he was waiting for the Earl of Oxford and others to join him, and possibly then because he was anticipating Clarence’s arrival. Indeed, Clarence had written to Warwick and counselled that he should wait for him and his array before joining battle. This was an obvious tactical error, because Clarence had now swollen Edward’s troops to a size well beyond the numbers which Warwick had mustered, and all those opportunities for a victory had been wasted.

Warwick had been wrong-footed and hurried arrangements to leave and follow Edward towards London were made. He sent urgent messages to London, to his brother George and the Mayor and Aldermen urging them to deny entry to Edward and to hold the city until his arrival.

On March 8th, the Coventry Leet Book recorded that the city had raised a tax to fund 40 soldiers to go with Warwick to Flanders as part of King Louis’ grand scheme to overthrow the Duke of Burgundy. That came to nothing. Less than a month later the Leet Book again records the cost to the city of Warwick’s schemes. This time, they contributed 20 footmen (at £5), 20 horsemen (at £8 4s 10d) and unspecified gunners, watchmen and riders (£1 14s 10d). This was in addition to 100 marks which the Guild and Aldermen loaned to Warwick personally. This had been an expensive stay for Coventry.

By the time all his arrangements had been made and his army was on the road, Warwick was two day’s march behind Edward.