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What happened at the Battle of Barnet in 1471?

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Wars of the Roses Illustration depicting the Battle of Bosworth Field, with King Richard III on the white horse.

The Battle of Barnet, fought on April 14, 1471, was a decisive engagement during the Wars of the Roses that secured the throne for the Yorkist king Edward IV.1

After being driven into exile in 1470 by his former ally, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick—who had restored the Lancastrian Henry VI to power—Edward IV returned to England in March 1471. He quickly seized London and captured Henry VI before marching north to confront Warwick’s forces near Hadley Green.12

On the morning of the battle, Edward IV attacked at dawn. Although the Yorkist left flank was initially routed, Edward’s center and right flank achieved victory. Warwick, who had fought on foot to demonstrate his commitment to his troops, was killed while attempting to flee. This victory, followed shortly by the Battle of Tewkesbury, effectively ended the Lancastrian challenge and solidified Edward IV's rule until his death in 1483.12