March 28th 1471: The Forelock of Time

The Earl of Oxford

(Graham Turner: Studio 88)

Speaking of the Earl of Warwick’s decision-making whilst Edward’s growing army was marching towards him, historian Paul Murray Kendall says that he “Lost his grip on the forelock of time”. This phrase cannot be bettered. Unlike Edward, to whom hesitation seemed never to apply, Warwick had frequently worsened his position by his indecision. From the security of his castle he was getting news that his supporters were getting ever closer. The Marquess of Montagu, the Earl of Oxford and the Duke of Exeter were travelling towards Leicester. Clarence was further away, at Malmsbury at this stage, and possibly writing to Warwick urging him to wait for him before going to battle.

With the news that Edward was getting ever closer, Warwick had no choice but to make a move. He took his loyal host of several thousand Midlands supporters out of his city, through Coventry towards Leicester, to confront Edward and block his way to the south, anticipating further supporters joining him. His move was too late, though. Edward had driven his supporters from Newark. They had disappeared into the countryside. Approaching Leicester, Warwick got this news and, not knowing where Oxford and Exeter were, he panicked. Warkworth’s Chronicle says “And King Edward sent a messenger to them, that if they would come out, that he would fight with them. But the Erle of Warwick hade a letter from the Duke of Clarence, that he should not fight with him till he came him self; and all was to the destruction of the Earl of Warwick, as it happened afterwards”. Warwick abandoned all idea of attack and retreated into the relative safety of the city walls of Coventry to take stock and wait for support.