East Stoke: Battle of Stoke Field Anniversary

The final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought in Nottinghamshire on 16th June 1487, when the Yorkist forces were defeated by those of Henry VII. Henry claimed the throne just 2 years earlier at the Battle of Bosworth, and his opponents led by the Earl of Lincoln hoped to oust Henry and return the kingdom to rule by the descendants of their rival relatives of the House of York, using the figurehead of pretender Lambert Simnel who assumed the role of “King Edward VI” and held a coronation ceremony in Dublin. Though the Yorkist army was large and included battle-hardened foreign mercenaries, Henry’s army was bigger and better equipped; the Tudors won the day and the Yorkist leaders were mostly slain on the field, though Simnel was captured and eventually employed in the King’s household. The commemorative event features walks around the battlefield by expert guides, living history encampments and displays of battle diorama figures as well as talks and food & drink. As most of the battlefield lies on private land, this is a once a year opportunity to explore the locality including the memorial stone where Henry raised his standard. The land belongs to the owners of Wargames Foundry who manufacture model miniatures for collectors and gamers.

Helpful Hints

It’s been held a few times on the weekend nearest the anniversary –  last time was 2018. If anyone has information on it happening again I’d be grateful to hear about it!

In 2018 admission cost £5; guided walks including admission cost £12.Follow the links below to purchase tickets.

Click here for the event website: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/foundryminiaturesltd/171241

And here for Foundry Miniatures: https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WargamesFoundry