Kensai65
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
Every year Tewkesbury hosts Europe’s largest medieval festival which includes the re-enactment of the battle. We attended on the Saturday in July 2011, with mixed weather but some very fine displays. The battle of Tewkesbury took place on May 4th 1471 between the royal houses of York, The White Rose, and Lancaster, The Red Rose. It started because Henry VI was considered insane and the country was without a strong leader. Edward of York, the most able leader left, was declared King in 1461. He had Henry locked in the tower of London and his wife Margaret of Anjou fled to France with their son also called Edward. When he reached 18 she decided to return to England and re-claim the throne for him. She landed at Weymouth on April 14, 1471, and set off for Wales, where Jasper Tudor awaited with re-enforcements for her army. Gathering supporters as they went, they headed for Gloucester to cross the Severn, only to find the city locked against them, by King Edward's orders. They headed for the next crossing point, Tewkesbury, but found that Edward's army was so close behind they had to stand and fight, rather than cross. Exhausted and outnumbered battle ensued but they were easily defeated, and so many of them were killed trying to get to the river that the field they ran through is still known today as Bloody Meadow. Margaret fled the scene with some of her ladies and was later found in a priory at Little Malvern. Prince Edward was killed either during the battle or just afterwards and he is interned in Tewkesbury Abbey. A brass plaque in the choir marks his last resting place, directly beneath a ceiling boss depicting the Yorkist badge.
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
Every year Tewkesbury hosts Europe’s largest medieval festival which includes the re-enactment of the battle. We attended on the Saturday in July 2011, with mixed weather but some very fine displays. The battle of Tewkesbury took place on May 4th 1471 between the royal houses of York, The White Rose, and Lancaster, The Red Rose. It started because Henry VI was considered insane and the country was without a strong leader. Edward of York, the most able leader left, was declared King in 1461. He had Henry locked in the tower of London and his wife Margaret of Anjou fled to France with their son also called Edward. When he reached 18 she decided to return to England and re-claim the throne for him. She landed at Weymouth on April 14, 1471, and set off for Wales, where Jasper Tudor awaited with re-enforcements for her army. Gathering supporters as they went, they headed for Gloucester to cross the Severn, only to find the city locked against them, by King Edward's orders. They headed for the next crossing point, Tewkesbury, but found that Edward's army was so close behind they had to stand and fight, rather than cross. Exhausted and outnumbered battle ensued but they were easily defeated, and so many of them were killed trying to get to the river that the field they ran through is still known today as Bloody Meadow. Margaret fled the scene with some of her ladies and was later found in a priory at Little Malvern. Prince Edward was killed either during the battle or just afterwards and he is interned in Tewkesbury Abbey. A brass plaque in the choir marks his last resting place, directly beneath a ceiling boss depicting the Yorkist badge.