The Yorkist victory ended Lancastrian power, killing Warwick and securing 14 years of Yorkist rule under Edward IV.
Key Facts
- Date
- 14 April 1471 (Easter Day)
- Victor
- House of York (Edward IV)
- Lancastrian commander killed
- Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick
- Years of Yorkist rule secured
- 14 years
- Follow-up battle
- Battle of Tewkesbury, 4 May 1471
- Commemorative monument
- Stone obelisk erected ~3 centuries later
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, formerly a leading Yorkist, defected to the Lancastrians after disputes over Edward IV's nepotism, secret marriage, and foreign policy. He defeated Edward and drove him into exile in Burgundy in October 1470. Edward persuaded Charles the Bold of Burgundy to fund an invasion army, which he led back to England, culminating in a confrontation near Barnet.
On Easter morning, 14 April 1471, Yorkist and Lancastrian forces clashed in dense fog near Barnet. The Earl of Oxford routed Lord Hastings on the Yorkist right, but on returning his troops were mistakenly fired upon by their own Lancastrian centre. Cries of treason shattered Lancastrian morale; the line collapsed, and Warwick was killed by Yorkist soldiers while attempting to flee.
Warwick's death removed the most powerful figure backing the Lancastrian cause. Deprived of his leadership and prestige, the Lancastrians suffered a final defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury on 4 May 1471, ending the reign of Henry VI and restoring the House of York. Edward IV then ruled England unchallenged for fourteen years.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Edward IV, Lord Hastings.
Side B
1 belligerent
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, Earl of Oxford, Lord Montagu.