Wars of the Roses: Henry VI Captured at Northampton!

July 10, 1460 - King Henry VI is captured after the Battle of Northampton. Returning to England after the Yorkist defeat at Ludford Bridge, the Earl of Warwick landed at Sandwich on June 26, 1460, with 2,000 men. Quickly increasing his numbers to around 20,000-30,000, he marched into London where he learned that the Henry VI was at Coventry with his army. Aware of Warwick's return, Henry and the Duke of Buckingham shifted their army to Northampton and assumed a defensive position along the River Nene. Approaching the Lancastrian army, Warwick twice attempted to send a representative to negotiate with the king. These overtures were rebuffed by Buckingham and as a result Warwick prepared for battle. Advancing at 2:00 PM, Warwick's men endured a shower of arrows before striking the Lancastrian right. As they reached the enemy lines, the commander of the Lancastrian right, Lord Grey of Ruthin, defected and ordered his men not to fight. Swarming into Henry's camp, Warwick's men quickly routed those troops who remained loyal to the king. Buckingham and several other nobles died in a failed attempting to prevent Henry from being captured.