Blore Heath

23 September, 1459

Principal Commanders: Audley (Lancaster), Salisbury (York)

After four years of uneasy peace, Henry VI presided of a country in decline. Parliment had not been summoned for three years, and the country was divided into armed camps. Lord Audley had recently raised a Lancastrian army based at Market Drayton, and Queen Margaret (Margaret of Anjou), who effectively ruled the country, sent him orders to intercept Salisbury, who was leading a Yorkist army to join the Duke of York at Ludlow. The two armies met two and a half miles east of Market Drayton, at a place called Blore Heath.

Salisbury had only 3,000 troops and was outnumbered by about two to one, but could not avoid the battle. Sailsbury's men were drawn up on a hill, about 150 yards east of the present Audley Cross (which marks the place where Audley fell). The Yorkist left flank was secured by a boggy wood, but their right flank was exposed. To protect this flank, Salisbury made a laager of his wagons. Audley took up a position just west of a little stream.

Salisbury feigned a retreat, and drew Audley to attack. Two cavalry charges by the Lancastrian forces were beaten off, with heavy losses to the attackers. Then they tried an infantry attack. on the Yorkist position. This too failed, as there was no support from the cavalry, since Lord Audley had already fallen. About 500 Lancastrians choose this moment to change sides. Salisbury's victory was complete. In the ensuing rout of the Lancastrian forces, the pursuit over two miles resulted in the slaughter of many fleeing men. Estimates put the Lancastrian death toll at about 2,000 against a Yorkist toll of about 200.