The Battle of Hexham

The Battle of Hexham - print from an original painting by Graham Turner

The Battle of Hexham Ref: Gic-G345
15th May 1464

Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, was just nineteen when his father, Edmund Beaufort, was killed at St Albans in 1455, the beginning of a vicious cycle of retribution that would come to characterise the series of conflicts now known as the Wars of the Roses. He would gain revenge at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460, where his father's nemesis the Duke of York would die, followed by another victory at the second Battle of St Albans, but the catastrophic defeat at Towton would see Beaufort and the other surviving adherents to Henry VI take refuge in their Northumberland fortresses as they desperately tried to keep their king's cause alive.

Although he could be as ruthless as any of his contemporaries, the new young Yorkist king, Edward IV, did at times try to balance this with a policy of reconciliation, and when Somerset was captured at the close of 1462, he was fortunate to not only receive a full pardon, but become a close companion to Edward 'who loved him well'. Somerset's brief sojourn with the other side lasted until December 1463, when he headed north again with the aim of being reunited with his men at Newcastle.

At Durham he was recognised and narrowly avoided capture while he slept, escaping barefoot in his nightshirt and leaving his armour behind. His retainers in Newcastle attempted to steal away but '... some of them were take and lost their heads for their labour.' Somerset managed to make his way to Bamburgh where he joined King Henry and the remains of his resistance, and from here they organised raids, taking Norham Castle and several towns.

Defeated by Lord Montagu at Hedgeley Moor on 25th April 1464, the remains of Somerset's army were seemingly caught by surprise early on 15th May near Hexham, Montagu's soldiers sweeping down into their camp and scattering the survivors. With their back to the aptly named Devil's Water, there were few escape routes, and many were cut down or drowned as they tried to cross the fast-flowing river.

Twenty-eight-year-old Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, found his luck had finally run out and following his capture he was promptly executed in Hexham.

In Graham Turner's painting, Henry Beaufort and his soldiers urgently prepare themselves to face Montagu's attack, while Lords Roos and Hungerford are already mounted and look set to flee. They wouldn't remain free for long, being captured very soon after and joining a group of others executed in Newcastle two days later. Around twenty others would be similarly dispatched - any ideas of clemency Edward might have previously held had clearly worn out.

Having lost his armour at Durham, Somerset wears a relatively simple Italian harness (in contrast to the English harness Graham depicted him wearing at the Second Battle of St Albans), perhaps acquired at Bamburgh Castle.

Giclée Print published from a gouache painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -
22"x 17" overall size has an image size of 17.6"x 12.5" (447mm x 317mm)
17"x 12" overall size has an image size of 13.5"x 9.5" (340mm x 241mm)

Approximate overall print size

22"x 17" (57cm x 43cm) £79.00

17"x 12" (43cm x 30cm) £59.00

Having printed your giclée print on the best quality fine-art paper (Hahnemühle 308gsm), Graham Turner individually signs it on the border.

CLICK HERE for more information about Graham Turner's Giclée Prints

Original Painting

Graham Turner's original painting THE BATTLE OF HEXHAM is available for sale - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

The Battle of Hexham - Painting by Graham Turner

(Left) Hexham battlefield today.

(Below) Devil's Water.

Photos taken by Graham Turner during a visit to the likely site of the Battle of Hexham, courtesy of the landowners.

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

The Wars of the Roses

The period of civil strife in the second half of the 15th century now known as the Wars of the Roses was one of the most dramatic and turbulent in English history. Since first being inspired by a visit to Bosworth battlefield nearly 30 years ago, Graham Turner has immersed himself in the period to create a unique and comprehensive series of meticulously researched paintings that bring to life this colourful but unsettled chapter in our past and our ancestors who lived their lives through it.

Graham's available original paintings, along with prints and cards reproduced from them, are detailed here on the Studio 88 website, and the following links will take you to a relevant page to help your browsing.

THE FIRST BATTLE OF ST ALBANS, 1455

THE BATTLE OF BLORE HEATH, 1459

THE BATTLE OF LUDFORD BRIDGE, 1459

THE BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON, 1460

THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD, 1460

THE BATTLE OF MORTIMER'S CROSS, 1461

THE SECOND BATTLE OF ST ALBANS, 1461

THE BATTLE OF TOWTON, 1461

THE BATTLE OF HEDGELEY MOOR, 1464

THE BATTLE OF HEXHAM, 1464

THE BATTLE OF EDGCOTE, 1469

THE BATTLE OF EMPINGHAM, 1470

THE BATTLE OF BARNET, 1471

THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY, 1471

THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH, 1485

THE BATTLE OF STOKE, 1487

CLICK HERE for the overall menu to find details of Graham's complete range of medieval open and limited edition prints, individually produced giclée prints, greeting cards and available original paintings.

The Wars of the Roses - Medieval Art Paintings, Prints and Cards by Graham Turner