The Battle of Empingham

'wherfore his highnesse in the felde undre his banere displaied comaunded the said lorde Welles and sir Thomas Dymmoke to be executed; and soo furthwith proceding ayeinst his saide rebelles, by the helpe of alle mighty God, acheved the victorie'. Chronicle of the Rebellion in Lincolnshire

The Battle of Empingham - painting by Graham Turner

The Battle of Empingham - original painting Ref: GT-EMP

With his son Sir Robert Welles 'armed with baniers displaied ayeinst hym, disposed to fight', Lord Welles and Sir Robert Dymmock are ordered to be executed by King Edward.

Original gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19.3"x 13.3" (49cm x 34cm) Note: When framed with a mount, the overall picture size will be larger. Painting is priced unframed.

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Price: £1,550.00

Excerpt from Graham Turner's book -

While at Huntingdon King Edward had Lord Welles and Sir Thomas Dymmock 'examined' and their 'conspiracions' were admitted. Welles was instructed to 'sende to his sonne, commaunding him to leve hys felaship, and humbly submitte hym, or elles thay for theire seide treasons shulde have dethe, as they had deserved'. The following day, now at Fotheringhay, news reached the king that the rebels had passed Grantham and that Warwick and Clarence were leading an army to rendezvous with them and trap him in a pincer movement. However, having received the letter threatening the life of his father, Sir Robert Welles hesitated at Empingham, near Stamford, where the royal army arrived to face them on 12 March.

With Sir Robert Welles 'armed with baniers displaied ayeinst hym, disposed to fight', King Edward was in no mood for mercy; 'wherfore his highnesse in the felde undre his banere displaied comaunded the said lorde Welles and sir Thomas Dymmoke to be executed; and soo furthwith proceding ayeinst his saide rebelles, by the helpe of alle mighty God, acheved the victorie'.

In the brief fight before the rebel army collapsed and fled, they were heard shouting out the war cry 'A Clarence! A Clarence! A Warrewicke!', and a number in their ranks wore Clarence's livery. Even more damning evidence of Clarence and Warwick's 'most abhominable treason' was revealed in incriminating letters discovered on the body of one of Clarence's retainers, 'slayn in the chase'.

The speed of Edward's victory was remarkable, but the idea that the losers threw off their coats as they fled, leading to it becoming known as the Battle of Losecoat Field, is most unlikely. The battle was fought in the parish of Empingham and the contemporary name for the battlefield was 'Hornfield in Empingham'. Losecoat more likely derives from the Old English 'hlose' and 'cot', literally meaning pigsty cottage!

After his decisive victory King Edward continued north and 'at Dancastre… ther was headed Sir Robert Wellys and a nothr greate capteyn', Sir Thomas de la Launde having met the same fate in Grantham the previous day.

Before his execution, Sir Robert Welles had been 'examyned', confessing his part in the uprising and confirming that Clarence and Warwick were 'partiners and chef provocars of all theire treasons.' Having been told to disband their forces, the duke and earl ignored a summons to appear before the king and headed in the opposite direction, eventually making for the south-west. John Neville was commissioned to quash an attempted rising in Yorkshire, but the would-be rebels dispersed when news of Edward's victory reached them. It is notable that far from assisting Warwick, his brother actively demonstrated his allegiance to King Edward.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS of The Wars of the Roses: The Medieval Art of Graham Turner.

Graham Turner's Original Paintings are offered for sale by the artist himself, rather than through Studio 88, which is our print publishing business. Consequently, payment directly to him is preferred. If you are interested in purchasing an original painting, please email Graham Turner at graham@studio88.co.uk to discuss the purchase or to arrange to visit.

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Painting is priced unframed.

THE WARS OF THE ROSES

THE MEDIEVAL ART OF GRAHAM TURNER - Signed by Graham Turner

Graham Turner's eagerly anticipated book about the Wars of the Roses is now available.

It includes over 120 of his paintings and drawings, many newly created, with supplementary images and a comprehensive and fascinating text that illuminates the complex, shifting course of events and the people who lived their lives through this tumultuous time.

Order your signed copy now - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS