august main battles 13th century england second barons war marked defeat earl leicester rebellious barons later king edward led forces father king took place august near town won control royal government close allies escape captivity found defensive forced engage faced army twice size battle soon turned massacre killed body mutilated battle effectively restored royal authority scattered resistance remained signed background 6th earl leicester gained dominant position government victory battle year earlier held king prince edward king brother richard cornwall custody sphere influence rapidly began deteriorate loss key allies february earl derby arrested imprisoned tower important collaborator earl gloucester deserted king year gloucester assistance escaped captivity lords welsh marches rebellion aid prince wales agreed help return recognition title promise military gains benefits alliance brought great concessions cost popularity home edward laid siege town gloucester fell june goal unite forces son simon engage royal army younger simon moved slowly westwards london eventually simon stronghold edward managed inflict great losses enemy outside castle walls prince moved south august banners captured thinking reinforcements arriving managed trap older loop blocking bridge forcing fight son reinforcements realized allegedly commented lord mercy souls bodies theirs battle lesson learned battle took position high ground ridge called green hill north edward set forces left gloucester commanding right morning left town great thunderstorm began rage forces gained confidence win day sense divine destiny reinforced white crosses uniforms time royal army taken lead wore red cross distinguishing mark according chronicler saw advance royal troops learned taught respective forces royal armies estimated strong facing unfavourable numbers decided concentrate forces centre enemy hoping drive wedge line tactics initially successful forces soon lost initiative especially welsh infantry provided proved unreliable deserted early point flanks royal army closed surrounding confronted force twice size unfavourable ground battle rapidly turned massacre defeat fresh memory fought strong sense bitterness resentment result despite attempts surrender rebels killed battlefield taken prisoner common custom practice referred episode noble unprecedented conquest son henry killed simon lost horse died fighting body mutilated head hands feet cut king henry custody dressed colours barely rescued converted rebel aftermath eager settle scores defeat parliament winchester september year taken rebellion uprising younger lincolnshire christmas scattered resistance remained main problem garrison virtually siege started summer futile end october drew called rebels allowed buy land prices dependent level involvement rebellion defenders castle turned offer end year conditions agreed far wide scale confrontations went aftermath marked end opposition reign kingdom entered period unity progress lasted early
Battle of Evesham