Battle of Edgecote Moor - The Rebellion

The Rebellion

Small rebellions in the North sent the King on a slow march in that direction. With the King's back turned Warwick's agents spread rumours stating that the King was bastard-born and that Clarence was York's true heir.

In the North, one of Warwick's captains, calling himself Robin of Redesdale (actually a trusted Neville captain, Sir William Conyers) started a new rebellion. When Edward heard of this he believed the rebellion would easily be put down and mustered only a few of his men. He soon learned that the rebels in fact outnumbered his own small force and started a retreat towards Nottingham to gather more recruits. Unfortunately the King lacked the popularity he had once had and reinforcements were few. Edward decided to wait in Nottingham for the Earls of Pembroke and Devon, arriving with an army from the south.

On 12 July, Warwick and Clarence declared their support for the rebels. On the 18th, Warwick left London at the head of a large army to reinforce the rebels.

The rebels hurried south to meet with Warwick, bypassing the King but nearly colliding with Pembroke and Devon at Edgecote Moor. The two armies became aware of each other on 25 July and joined in battle early in the morning of the 26th. The beginning was a rather one-sided affair as the Earl of Devon and his Welsh archers were some miles away, having stayed the night in a neighbouring village. The rebels attacked across the river forcing Pembroke to retreat and pull his men back some distance. Pembroke was attacked again in his new position, but he put up a brave defence while awaiting Devon. At 1 o'clock the Earl received the news he had been waiting for: Devon was rapidly advancing with all his men. However, at the same time the advance guard of Warwick's army arrived upon the field. Rebel morale was instantly boosted. Seeing Warwick's livery amongst the enemy, Pembroke's men presumed his whole force of expert soldiers was upon them. The royal army broke and fled the field possibly before Devon could even reinforce them.

The Earl of Pembroke and his brother Sir Richard Herbert were captured and executed the following day. The Earl of Devon suffered a similar fate a few days later.