Battle of Blore Heath: Salisbury’s First Great Victory
- 9 December 2025
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Battle of Blore Heath 23rd September 1459
Overview
This article recounts the Battle of Blore Heath (23 September 1459), describing Salisbury’s march to Ludlow, the confrontation with Lord Audley, tactics and phases of the fighting, decisive Yorkist victory, casualties, legends surrounding Margaret of Anjou, and the wider significance of this engagement in the early Wars of the Roses.
Cite This Work
Cohen, D. (2019). Medieval History – Battle of Blore Heath: Salisbury’s First Great Victory. Medieval History – Yesterday in a Nutshell. https://historymedieval.com/battle-of-blore-heath-salisburys-first-great-victory/
Rising Tensions Between York and Lancaster
In the spring of 1459, tensions between the rival factions of York and Lancaster had increased to the extent that Margaret of Anjou had ordered the issuing of commissions of array to recruit more troops into the Lancastrian army. The Yorkist party, led by Richard, 3rd Duke of York, felt threatened and retired to their estates to rally their armed retainers, York to Ludlow in Shropshire and Richard, Earl of Salisbury, to Middleham in Yorkshire.
Warwick and the Calais Garrison
Salisbury’s son, the Earl of Warwick, was Captain of Calais at that time and raised 400 archers and 200 men-at-arms from the Calais garrison, led by Andrew Trollope, in response to calls for assistance from the Duke of York. Warwick landed in Sandwich, Kent, with his men and headed to Warwick Castle, then to Ludlow, to join up with the Duke of York and his troops.
Margaret of Anjou’s Great Council
In June, Margaret of Anjou interpreted these actions as treason and called a Great Council meeting, which the King and Prince of Wales attended. However, York, Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick, George Neville, and the Bourchier brothers refused to participate in it, fearing for their safety. The Queen distributed the livery of the silver swan to her loyal followers in Cheshire at that time, while the King raised an army in the Midlands led by Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.
March to Ludlow and the Road to Blore Heath
In September, Salisbury marched south from Middleham with around 5,000 troops to link up with the Duke of York at Ludlow. On hearing the news, Margaret of Anjou ordered Lord Stanley and the local magnates to intercept him in Staffordshire, while she retired with the King to Eccleshall Castle.
On 23rd September 1459, the Earl of Salisbury was faced by James Tuchet, Lord Audley, with about 10,000 Lancastrian soldiers at Blore Heath, who were ordered to arrest the Earl of Salisbury. Lord Stanley stayed away from the battle, possibly because he was married to Eleanor Neville, Salisbury’s daughter.
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Lines Drawn at Wemberton Brook
The two armies faced each other across Wemberton Brook, with the Yorkist troops in a defensive position on a ridge north of the brook. Salisbury became aware that he was outnumbered and ordered ditches to be dug to his rear and stakes to be placed in front of his troops. When negotiations failed, with Lord Audley refusing to let the Earl of Salisbury pass, the Yorkist soldiers kissed the ground beneath them, fearing that would be the ground on which they would meet their deaths.
“The Yorkist soldiers kissed the ground beneath them, fearing that would be the ground on which they would meet their deaths.”
Battle of Blore Heath
Opening Engagements
The battle commenced with an archery duel, which was inconclusive because of the distance between the two armies. Salisbury then ordered a tactical withdrawal of his men to draw in the Lancastrian troops.
Audley’s Cavalry Charges
Lord Audley attacked with his cavalry across the brook following a storm of arrows, but the Yorkist soldiers returned and fired volleys of arrows, causing many casualties and beating back the attack. A second attack was more successful in crossing the stream, but Lord Audley was killed in the intense fighting with many of his troops.
Dudley’s Assault and Defections
Lord Dudley took over command of the Lancastrian army and ordered an infantry attack of 4,000 soldiers, which also failed, with many casualties. On seeing this action, around 500 Lancastrian troops joined the Yorkists and turned against their own men.
Yorkist Victory and Costly Outcome
The Earl of Salisbury then ordered a general charge of the Yorkist army, which chased the Lancastrians off the field, who lost around 2,000 men. Lord Dudley was captured, and the Earl of Salisbury had won a great victory and was able to resume his march to Ludlow. However, two of Salisbury’s sons, Sir John and Thomas Neville, became separated from his army and were captured and then imprisoned for the next nine months at Chester Castle. Many Lancastrian knights were killed attempting to cross the river Tern, being hampered by their armour, at a place called Deadmen’s Den to this day.
“Many Lancastrian knights were killed attempting to cross the river Tern, being hampered by their armour, at a place called Deadmen’s Den to this day.”
Legend of Margaret of Anjou
There is a legend that Margaret of Anjou and her son, Edward, Prince of Wales, watched the battle from the tower of the nearby Mucklestone Church, and this is commemorated by a stained glass window. There is also an anvil in the churchyard from a forge where Queen Margaret is said to have had her horse’s shoes reversed so that she could escape the battle.
“There is also an anvil in the churchyard from a forge where Queen Margaret is said to have had her horse’s shoes reversed so that she could escape the battle.”
Withdrawal and Aftermath
The Earl of Salisbury withdrew from the battlefield with his remaining troops, having lost around 500 dead, leaving an Augustinian friar to fire a cannon during the night to distract any Lancastrian troops in the vicinity. Salisbury then continued his journey to Ludlow with the Yorkist army, where he met up with the Duke of York and his men.
Royal Response and Pardons
At Ludlow, the Yorkists wrote to the King justifying their actions. He replied that a free pardon would be offered to all who raised arms against him if they surrendered, except those who fought at Blore Heath and killed Lord Audley.
Further Reading
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What was the Battle of Blore Heath and when did it take place?
The Battle of Blore Heath was one of the early battles of the Wars of the Roses. It took place on 23rd September 1459 in Staffordshire, between Yorkist forces under the Earl of Salisbury and a larger Lancastrian army commanded by Lord Audley.
Why were Yorkist and Lancastrian forces fighting at Blore Heath?
Salisbury was marching south from Middleham to join the Duke of York at Ludlow when Margaret of Anjou ordered Lancastrian forces to intercept him. Lord Audley’s army confronted Salisbury at Blore Heath with orders to arrest him, turning the encounter into a full-scale battle.
How did the Earl of Salisbury win despite being outnumbered?
Salisbury chose strong defensive ground north of Wemberton Brook, dug ditches to his rear, and used stakes to protect his lines. He feigned a withdrawal to lure the Lancastrians into attacking across the brook, where Yorkist archers and a counter-attack inflicted heavy losses and broke their forces.
What happened to Lord Audley and the Lancastrian commanders?
Lord Audley was killed during the fierce fighting as he led a cavalry assault across the brook. Command then passed to Lord Dudley, whose subsequent infantry attack also failed. Dudley was captured, and many Lancastrian knights died while trying to escape, especially at the later-named Deadmen’s Den.
Are there any legends associated with the Battle of Blore Heath?
Yes. One enduring legend claims that Margaret of Anjou and her son, Edward, Prince of Wales, watched the battle from the tower of Mucklestone Church. Another tells how Margaret had her horse’s shoes reversed at a nearby forge, commemorated by an anvil still associated with the story.
What were the consequences of the battle for the Wars of the Roses?
The Yorkist victory allowed Salisbury to continue his march to Ludlow and briefly strengthened Yorkist morale. However, the royal response was harsh: a general pardon was offered to rebels, but explicitly excluded those who had fought at Blore Heath and killed Lord Audley, deepening the rift between Crown and Yorkists.
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Sources
Cohen, D. (2023). Battles of the Wars of the Roses. Pen & Sword History.
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David Cohen
David Cohen, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Justice, holds a degree in social sciences from Leicester University. With over 40 years of dedicated study in medieval history, he is a member of the Royal Historical Society and a passionate researcher of the Wars of the Roses. He frequently visits significant battle sites, including St Albans, Barnet, Tewkesbury, and Bosworth, deepening his understanding of the period. As co-admin of the popular Wars of the Roses and Medieval History group alongside historian Sharon Bennett Connolly, he contributes insightful articles on key battles and prominent conflict figures.
