It is much to be regretted, that in the majority of historical works, describing the events of this country in the fifteenth century, whenever the exploits of any noblemen or warriors, or the talents or skill of any men of eminence, are mentioned, the authors, from some cause or other, very rarely give any information of much value relative to the individuals whose actions they are describing; but as few readers can reflect upon the surprising events of that period without feeling a considerable degree of interest in the warlike and distinguished personages, who were the principal actors in those stirring and eventful times, there will be found in the notes to this work, some explanatory and biographical particulars [viii] of the princes, nobles, and eminent persons, whose actions and conduct are noticed in it.

In the following publication will also be found some other papers and tracts, principally of an archæological nature, written at various times, as the subjects came under my notice; and as they may possibly interest, in some degree, the class of readers who take pleasure in pursuits of that description, I have been induced to add them to the present collection.

In committing this work to the press, it will be a source of gratification to the Author, if his humble exertions shall be, in some degree, instrumental in elucidating any events hitherto imperfectly known, in solving any difficulties which may have suggested themselves, or in confirming the statements of the old historical writers of this country.

RICHARD BROOKE.

12th March, 1857.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Chap.I.

The Field of the Battle of Shrewsbury

[1]

II.

,, ,, ,, Blore Heath

[21]

III.

,, ,, ,, Northampton

[39]

IV.

,, ,, ,, Wakefield

[53]

V.

,, ,, ,, Mortimer’s Cross

[67]

VI.

,, ,, ,, Towton

[81]

VII.

,, ,, ,, Tewkesbury

[131]

VIII.

,, ,, ,, Bosworth

[157]

IX.

,, ,, ,, Stoke

[177]

,, ,, ,, Evesham

[203]

,, ,, ,, Barnet

[205]

X.

The General Use of Firearms by the English, in theFifteenth Century

[213]

XI.

The ancient Family of Wyche, or De la Wyche, ofCheshire

[245]

XII.

Wilmslow Church, in Cheshire

[253]

XIII.

Handford Hall and Cheadle Church, in Cheshire

[267]

XIV.

Part 1. The Office of Keeper of the Royal Menageriein the reign of Edward IV.

[283]

Part 2. The probable period of the Extinction ofWolves in England

[287]

AppendixNo. I.

Extract from the Act of Attainder of 1st Edward IV.,passed in 1461

[301]

II.

Extract from the Act of Attainder of 14th Edward IV.,passed in 1475

[308]

III.

Extract from the Act of Attainder of 1st Henry VII.,passed in 1485

[309]

IV.

Proclamation for enforcing Order and Discipline, andExtract from a Journal of the March and Proceedings of HenryVII., previously to the Battle of Stoke

[310]

V.

Extract from the Act of Attainder of 3rd Henry VII.,passed in 1487

[315]

VI.

Extract from the Act of Attainder of 11th Henry VII.,passed against Lord Lovel in 1495

[317]

VII.

Letter from William Cooper, Esq., Clerk of the Parliamentof 9th August, 1737

[318]

ILLUSTRATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

THE
FIELD OF THE BATTLE
OF
SHREWSBURY. [1a]

“After him came spurring hard
A gentleman almost forspent with speed,
That stopp’d by me to breathe his bloodied horse:
He ask’d the way to Chester; and of him
I did demand, what news from Shrewsbury.
He told me, that rebellion had ill luck,
And that you Harry Percy’s spur was cold.”

Shakespeare’s Henry IV. part ii. act 1, scene 1.