Battle_of_Deptford_Bridge Cornish_rebellion_of_1497

1 battle of deptford bridge

1.1 cornish force @ bridge
1.2 continuation of battle
1.3 aftermath

battle of deptford bridge

the battle of deptford bridge (also known battle of blackheath) took place on 17 june 1497 on site in present-day deptford south-east london, adjacent river ravensbourne , culminating event of cornish rebellion. henry vii had mustered army of 25,000 men , cornish lacked supporting cavalry , artillery arms essential professional forces of time.

after spreading rumours attack on following monday, henry moved against cornish @ dawn on lucky day – saturday (17 june 1497). royal forces divided 3 battles , 2 under lords oxford, essex , suffolk, wheel round right flank , rear of enemy whilst third waited in reserve. when cornish duly surrounded, lord daubeney , third battle ordered frontal attack.

cornish force @ bridge

at bridge @ deptford strand, cornish had placed body of archers (utilising arrows full yard long, strong , mighty bow cornishmen said draw ) block passage of river. here daubeney had tense time, before spearmen captured crossing losses (a mere 8 men or many 300 depending on 1 s source). great chronicle of london says these casualties suffered royal forces day but, in view of severity of later fighting, seems improbable.

through ill-advice or inexperience, cornish had neglected provide support men @ deptford strand bridge , main array stood heath, near top of hill. mistake since reserve force charging down high ground might have held bridge bottleneck , made day far more equal contest. was, lord daubeney , troops poured across in strength , engaged enemy great vigour. daubeney himself carried away became isolated men , captured. astoundingly enough, cornish released him , returned fray. appear @ late stage, rebels hearts no longer in battle , contemplating aftermath , king s revenge.

continuation of battle

the 2 other royal divisions attacked cornish precisely planned and, bacon succinctly put it: being ill-armed , ill-led, , without horse or artillery, no great difficulty cut in pieces , put flight. estimates of cornish dead range 200 2,000 , general slaughter of broken army under way when gof gave order surrender. fled got far greenwich before being captured. less enterprising baron audley , thomas flamank taken on field of battle.

aftermath

by 2pm, henry vii had returned city in triumph, knighting deserving parties on way, accept acclamation of mayor , attend service of thanksgiving @ st paul s.

in due course, severe monetary penalties, extracted crown agents, pauperised sections of cornwall years come. estates seized , handed more loyal subjects. remaining rebels escaped went home ending rebellion.

an gof , flamank both sentenced hanged, drawn , quartered. enjoyed king s mercy , allowed hang until dead before being decapitated. executed @ tyburn on 27 june 1497. gof recorded have said before execution should have name perpetual , fame permanent , immortal . thomas flamank quoted saying speak truth , can free of chains . audley, peer of realm, beheaded on 28 june @ tower hill. heads displayed on pike-staffs ( gibbeted ) on london bridge.