Date: 10th May, 1464
Time: early morning
Location: South of Hexham
Factions: York vs Lancaster Victor: York
Troops/inventory: York - 4,000 Lancaster - 500
Injuries/fatalities of interest: For York - none
For Lancaster
Interesting bit: On 27th March, 1464, King Edward IV made a promise to put
an end to Lancastrian resistance. On 16th April the same year, he put this
plan into action. Orders to muster able-bodied men were sent to more than 30
English counties. Five great cannons were prepared for the journey north to
Northumberland. The guns, named 'Dijon', 'London', 'Newcastle', 'Richard
Bombartal' and 'Edward' were not deployed during the Battle of Hexham, but
were used to devastating effect afterwards. Sir Ralph Grey, now known to be
a turncoat took refuge in Bamburgh Castle after the battle. A Yorkist herald
was sent into the castle to offer a pardon to all who would surrender, with
the exception of Grey and Sir Humphrey Neville. Grey sent a message back
with the herald which said "I am determined to stay, and to live or die in
this place."
The Yorkists, taking Grey at his word, besieged Bamburgh,
assembling men and cannons outside the walls. As the castle defences began
to fall, one cannonball from the gun 'Dijon' landed on the roof of
Grey's chambers, and knocked him unconscious. Although gun fire passed
through the walls of his apartment several times, Grey refused to surrender
and was eventually tied to the back of his own horse and escorted to trial
before King Edward.