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Site Details

Battle of Hedgeley Moor (Cheviotside)

(NU04931970) Site of Battle of Hedgeley Moor (AD 1464). (1)

The battle of Hedgeley Moor, 1464, was fought during the Wars of the Roses. James III of Scotland had despatched ambassadors to negotiate with Edward IV at York, and George Neville, Lord Montagu was sent to the border to escort them through Northumberland, which was held by the Lancastrians. The Duke of Somerset, Lord Roos, Lord Hungerford and Sir Ralph Percy, who held Bamburgh and other castles for Henry IV, attempted to surprise Montagu. They laid an ambush near Newcastle which he avoided, and at Hedgeley Moor they attacked him. Montagu broke through their ranks and joined the Scottish embassy at Norham. In the defeat Sir Ralph Percy was killed. The meeting according to the most trustworthy account (a) was on St Mark's Day, April 25th. (2)

Additional bibliography. (3)

The site of the Battle of Hedgley Moor is located in Roddam, Northumberland. The battle was fought on the 25th April 1464 and was one of the many engagements of the Wars of the Roses. James III of Scotland had despatched ambassadors to negotiate with Edward IV at York, and George Neville, Lord Montagu was sent to the border to escort them through Northumberland, which was held by the Lancastrians. The Duke of Somerset, Lord Roos, Lord Hungerford, and Sir Ralph Percy, who held Bamburgh and other castles for Henry VI, attempted to surprise Montagu. They laid an ambush near Newcastle which he avoided, and at Hedgeley Moor they attacked him. Montagu broke through their ranks and joined the Scottish embassy at Norham. In the defeat Sir Ralph Percy was killed. The battle site is accessed from a lay-by on the A697, 5 miles north of Powburn. Two stones, 10 metres apart, mark Percy's Leap, the distance reputedly covered by Percy's horse as his rider died. (4a)

The National Grid Reference for the site is: NU04931970 (4b)
N3064
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
MEASURED SURVEY, NHPP Battlefields Project ; English Heritage


Source of Reference
Local History of Cheviotside
Local History of Cheviotside

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Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.

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