"The Battle of Tewkesbury - 4th May 1471"

Ref: GT002

by Graham Turner

Open Edition Print published from an oil painting.
Overall print size, including border - 34"x 24" (87cm x 60cm).


Each print is supplied with a 'Who's who', identifying the major participants and banners shown in the painting.

Having reclaimed the throne of England and defeated the Earl of Warwick at the battle of Barnet, the Yorkist King, Edward IV, marched his forces from London to intercept those of Margaret of Anjou (wife of the Lancastrian Henry VI) and her son, Prince Edward, who had landed at Weymouth and were heading for Wales where supporters awaited them.


Denied entry to Gloucester and it's bridge over the River Severn, Margaret was forced to march her exhausted army to the next crossing point - at Tewkesbury. Here, with the Royal army hard on their heels and insufficient time to cross the river, they turned to confront their pursuers, the two armies meeting on the 4th May 1471.


Following a heavy bombardment from the King's artillery, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, led the Lancastrian right wing through the deep ditches and hedges that intersected the battlefield and attacked the Yorkist left, under the command of Edward's younger brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester. However, the other Lancastrian divisions failed to support the attack and Somerset's men were soon outflanked and routed, the rest of Margaret's army disintegrating in defeat.

In his detailed yet atmospheric painting, Graham Turner puts you amongst the Lancastrian forces as they desperately try to defend themselves against the advancing Yorkists, King Edward at their head, his Standards flying above him. The Standards of the Dukes of Gloucester, Clarence and Norfolk can also be seen, together with a wide range of arms and armour, illustrating the diversity of those in use at the time.