Battle of Ludford Bridge

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Battle of Ludford Bridge
Part of the Wars of the Roses
Date 12 October 1459 Location Ludford Bridge in Shropshire, England Result Lancastrian victory
Belligerents
House of York	House of Lancaster
Commanders
Richard, Duke of York	Henry VI
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

v • d • e Wars of the Roses 1st St Albans – Blore Heath – Ludford Bridge – Northampton – Wakefield – Mortimer's Cross – 2nd St Albans – Ferrybridge – Towton – Hedgeley Moor – Hexham – Edgecote Moor – Lose-coat Field – Barnet – Tewkesbury – Bosworth Field – Stoke 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 on the Shropshire / Staffordshire border, 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, Sir 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. 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 Lancastrian army free to plunder the pro-York town of Ludlow, which lay just over the bridge.