Battle of Ludford Bridge

Battle of Ludford Bridge
Part of Wars of the Roses
Date: 12 October 1459
Location: Ludford Bridge in Shropshire, England
Result: Decisive Lancastrian victory
Combatants
House of York House of Lancaster
Commanders
Richard, Duke of York Henry VI
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties
Unknown Unknown
Wars of the Roses
1st St AlbansBlore HeathLudford BridgeNorthamptonWakefieldMortimer's Cross2nd St AlbansFerrybridgeTowtonHedgeley MoorHexhamEdgecote MoorLose-coat FieldBarnetTewkesburyBosworth FieldStoke Field

The Battle of Ludford Bridge was the worst disaster suffered by the Yorkists during the early years of the Wars of the Roses.

After the victory at the Battle of Blore Heath, the Yorkists marched towards Worcester. They quickly fell back to a fortified position at Ludford Bridge in Shropshire, after encountering a much larger Lancastrian force. On 12 October 1459, Andrew Trollope, who commanded the Calais contingent, defected to the King when offered a pardon, bringing with him, his men and much information on York's army and plans. York was outnumbered by more than three to one, unsurprisingly that evening York, his two sons, along with Warwick and Salisbury fled from the battle that could not be won, to Calais and Ireland.

Finding themselves leaderless next morning, the Yorkists disbanded leaving the Lancastrians free to plunder pro-York Ludlow.

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