Rout of Ludford Bridge

Battle of Ludford Bridge
Part of the Wars of the Roses
Date 12 October 1459 Location Ludford Bridge in Shropshire, England Result Lancastrian victory
Belligerents
House of Lancaster	House of York
Commanders and leaders
Henry VI	Richard, Duke of York
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Ludford Bridge was the worst disaster suffered by the Yorkists during the early years of the Wars of the Roses.

After the victory at the Battle of Blore Heath on the Shropshire / Staffordshire border, the Yorkists marched towards Worcester. They quickly fell back to a fortified position at Ludford Bridge in Shropshire after encountering a much larger Lancastrian force.

On 12 October 1459, Sir Andrew Trollope, who commanded the Calais contingent, defected to the King when offered a pardon, bringing with him his men and much information on York's army and plans. York was outnumbered by more than three to one. That evening York, his two sons, along with Warwick and Salisbury fled to Calais and Ireland from a battle that could not be won. Finding themselves leaderless next morning, the Yorkists disbanded leaving the Lancastrian army free to plunder the pro-York town of Ludlow, which lay just over the bridge.