Edward and Warwick encouraged their men with all the eloquence they were masters of, and each, as ufual, pleaded the juftice of his cause, the protection of the Almighty, and dealt out abuse against his antagonist.

The thickness of the mift caufed another mistake, in preventing the armies from being drawn up face to face. Warwick's left extended towards the east, and far outflanked Edward's right, while his left as far overfhot Warwick's right.

Soon after the battle began, a fmall part of Edward's right, being overpowered by Oxford, fled to London, and declared, victory was decided for Warwick. The fame fog which had deceived the two armies

continued

continued to deceive; Edward's badge be

ing a fun, and Oxford's a ftar, both with rays, Oxford's miftook their own people for Edward's, and fell upon them, when Oxford cried out "Treafon" and fled with This difafter did not encourage

800 men. one party, nor dishearten the other, because neither were able to fee it for the mist. The King's people on the weft out flanking Warwick, became in turn fuccefsful, and routed the enemies right.

The contest had continued till near noon; rather in favour of Edward, which the Earl of Warwick obferving, and remembering his character in the world as a hero, and being unwilling to lofe his power of making kings, bravely exerted himself, and encouraged others, till the battle became more fierce, and the victory doubtful. Edward

Edward, as the laft bold effort, brought up his reserve. This no way dismayed the Earl, who ftill encouraged his people by telling them "it was the last resort of an

66

ufurper." But Richard Duke of Gloucefter who commanded Edward's van, bore down all before him. It is difficult to withstand a man who is determined nothing fhall withstand him. Warwick, inflamed, attempted to do himself, what his men were unable. He fought on foot, contrary to his ufual practice, and in his ardour for conqueft, cut his way into the midst of his enemies, forgetting that he was venturing into the jaws of a boar; furrounded by Richard's people, and his own being too much disheartened to effect his relief, he fell a victim to their fury. The Marquis of Montague, though fuppofed a friend to Edward, could not bear to fee a brother in distress,

I

distress, and in attempting to fupport him, fell himself. Here oppofition ceased.

Thus it appears, when Edward committed fo important a truft to his brother, Richard, it was not an error of judgment; nor does Clarence feem to have taken umbrage, at being ordered to the centre, while his younger brother commanded the van. The infant fword of Richard had now eftablished that character for bravery, which time cannot efface. John Milwater, and Thomas a Par, two of his fquires, were flain at his feet.

There fell on the King's fide, the Lords Cromwell, Say, and Pentoife, with many Knights, 'Squires, and Gentlemen. None of the nobility were flain in the Lancastrian intereft except the two brothers.

C

The

Duke

Duke of Exeter was defperately wounded. Somerset and Oxford, attempted to retreat into Scotland, but altering their defign, turned towards the left, and marched into Wales, to join Jasper Earl of Pembroke, and the King marched in triumph to London.

An Obelisk was erected by Sir Jeromy Sambroke, upon Gladmore Heath, in 1740 to commemorate the battle, with this infcription:

Here