The Battle of Northampton    -    10th July 1460

Thomas Burgh esq was a member of Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham’s Retinue during the late 1450’s and early 60’s. As a paid retainer Thomas was expected to turn out, as a man-at-arms, in support of the Duke’s military and political aims.

The Yorkist ‘rebels’ led by the earl of Warwick, earl of Salisbury and Edward, earl of March had invaded England from Calais on June 26^th 1460, and advancing on London they soon had a force some twenty to thirty thousand strong. The king’s army, led by the Duke of Buckingham, marched south to Northampton and set up a defensive position to meet the Yorkists.

On the tenth of July 1460 in heavy rain, the Yorkist advanced along the Towcester road toward the Lancastrian force, some ten to fifteen thousand strong (the earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford were delayed joining the Kings forces) with much of the Tower artillery train behind earth ramparts.

Until around 2pm Warwick tried to negotiate but Burgh’s master, Buckingham would have none of it, the Yorkists then attacked but were stopped by accurate archery and heavy rain, trying again Warwick and March headed for the Lancastrian right flank, commanded by Lord Grey of Ruthin, who’s men welcomed the Yorkists with open arms, helping them over the earth ramparts! With the artillery disabled by wet powder and match the Lancastrians were swiftly flanked within the confines of the defensive positions. The Duke of Buckingham, earl of Shrewsbury, Viscount Beaumont and Lord Egremont were all slain along with some three hundred other souls and the king taken into the ‘protection’ of the victorious Yorkists.

Thomas Burgh survived this engagement but his step- father, Sir William Lucy was not so lucky. It was Lucy had re married after Thomas’s mother Elizabeth had died in 1455, to a most beautiful young girl (later reputed to one of Edward IV’s lovers), who was coveted by one of the Duke of Buckingham’s sons, Sir John Stafford. Sir William heard the artillery firing and rode out of Northampton to the Kings assistance and was ambushed by Stafford who slew him and later married the beautiful widow the following year.

Both Sir William Lucy and Elizabeth, Thomas’s mother, were buried in Delapre Abbey near the battlefield.  Thomas soon after Northampton, chose the Yorkist faction and after Edward, earl of March’s election as Edward IV, was ‘pricked’ by the new King to be Sheriff of Lincolnshire.

Sources – The Military Campaigns of The Wars of The Roses by Philip Haigh – Allan Sutton Ltd 1995.

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