File:The Battle site of Hedgley Moor - geograph.org.uk - 1439715.jpg

English: The Battle site of Hedgley Moor In mid April 1464, Sir John Neville was marching North to attend meetings with Scottish envoys at Newcastle. His popularity meant that supporters flocked to his banner throughout the journey and by the time he left Newcastle, he was in charge of an army numbering five of six thousand men.

At Hedgley Moor on the 25th of April he met a rebel force, consisting mainly of Lancastrians the King had pardoned, returned to their true colours. The Duke of Somerset commanded the Lancastrians and amongst their number were Sir Ralph Percy, Lord Roos, Hungerford, and Grey. The Lancastrian army was five thousand strong, but morale was not as high as in the Yorkish camp.

The battle began with the normal exchange of archer fire between the two armies. Montagu then advanced across the 1,500 yards of moor land, only to be forced to halt and readjust his lines when the Lancastrian left flank, under Lord Roos and Hungerford, some 2,000 men faltered, broke and scattered.

The whole Lancastrian force gave way when the Yorkists clashed with their line. Pushed back by weight of numbers all but a few of the remaining Lancastrians fled the field. Sir Ralph Percy stayed with his household retainers and made a brave last stand. But, deserted by the rest of the army, including all the other commanders he was soon slain.