| Where: | Northampton, at the Eleanor Cross on London Road |
| When: | 10th July and Weekend near/on July 10th |
| Time: | 1.30 pm for Wreath laying 2pm (check links for walk times) |
The first major engagement in the Wars of the Roses was the 1460 battle at Northampton on July 10th, and the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society host a commemorative event at the weekend on or nearest the anniversary. The forces of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou clashed with those of the future Edward IV and Warwick the Kingmaker, ending in a Yorkist victory and the capture of Henry VI. Expect battlefield walks, wreath laying at the Eleanor Cross, and in some years re-enactments of parts of the battle and more.
Helpful Hints
The wreath laying commemoration usually takes place annually on 10th itself, the actual anniversary of the battle, at the Eleanor Cross. In 2026 it was at 1.30 for 2pm on 10th July as usual and there was a Battle Event on Saturday 4th July at Delapre Abbey including tours of the battlefield- check the Abbey Facebook page below for further details. 2027 arrangements are yet to be confirmed but the wreath laying should be on Saturday 10th.
The re-enactments and living history are only on occasional years, not always annually, and are usually organised by Delapre Abbey with the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society. The Abbey also has a display on the battle.
Click here for Delapre Abbey: https://delapreabbey.org
and https://www.facebook.com/delapreabbey.org
Click here for the Society website: https://northamptonbattlefieldssociety.wordpress.com
and here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Northampton1460/
and here for the Harrington Companye: https://harringtoncompanye.wordpress.com
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