battle burton bridge battle burton bridge fought thomas 2nd earl lancaster cousin war edward army proceeding northwards engage lancaster having defeated lord allies wales lancaster fortified bridge important crossing attempt prevent king proceeding edward arrived nearby march intended use ford trent cross river lancaster edward delayed days time force deployed opposite lancaster men bridge march edward main force crossed river proceeded south burton lancaster moved men outside town intending face king open battle withdrew northwards saw heavily outnumbered lancaster pursued closely king men eventually captured battle later executed king orders lancaster defeat removed immediate threat edward rule king continued prove unpopular barons forced throne favour son background thomas earl lancaster long enemy king alienated practice promoting young favourites alleged lovers 1st earl cornwall stage regent edward absence lancaster demonstrated disapproval king refusal assist edward scottish campaigns including decisive defeat battle resulting raids scottish forced edward demands barons kingdom governed council led earl submit restrictions royal power laid shortly lancaster captured executed attack castle new council demonstrated suited rule king failing prevent loss scots edward continued barons promoting young men younger known enemy lancaster lancaster met bishops suburb initial negotiations resulted signing treaty attempt reconcile king barons operation short lived continued rise threatened holdings lancaster joined outright rebellion edward battle edward acted quickly lords defeating easily lack moving north confront lancaster earl moved base west yorkshire block strategically important crossing arrived early march having lost stores floods route set western end bridge arch stone structure yards long feet wide lancaster sent men prevent king crossing trent men master broke bridges later fined shillings king actions lord long supporter lancaster said closest friend raised troops send king men march holland received secret order king join lancaster forming body troops park ostensibly reinforce lancaster army burton edward arrived nearby march intending use ford trent lancaster ford impassable flooding days edward waited time edward ordered attack lancaster fortified position despite day fighting royalist forces unable lancaster awaited reinforcement holland men miles north burton holland apparently wished await result battle prior committing revealing holland actually sent lancaster letters intended draw men away burton edward troops able cross trent march advanced burton south lancaster moved positions bridge field outside burton firing town went realised badly outnumbered men holland moving aid lancaster decided withdraw pursued edward clash classified battle english_heritage casualties suffered registered battlefield casualties included keeper castle sir injured fight later died wounds aftermath king troops led 7th earl surrey 1st earl kent chased capturing towns devastating counties holland seeing outcome battle knowing king recently imprisoned daughter tower london openly acted lancaster holland men attacked robbed supporters lancaster including lancaster wife value ordered men raised march burton prevent escape lancaster troops holland turned troops king derby march received past alliance lancaster condemning imprisonment dover castle loss estates beheaded unknown gang head given brother henry 3rd earl lancaster lancaster able flee castle cover darkness army evaded edward patrols cross flooded river dove way northwards taking ordered corpse posthumously executed treason lancaster fled north sir having heard king victory burton moved engage battle lancaster defeated captured later executed edward ordered chapel constructed burton bridge commemoration victory lancaster finally dealt edward continued upset barons previously agreed limitations royal power continuing promote losing key battles scots edward reign unpopular lancaster grave site pilgrimage opposed edward queen isabella france sided lover lord forced edward favour son aftermath battle family claimed lost goods seven gold cloth silver vessels chapel ornaments ordered removed according prior arrived taken castle subsequently lost retreat burton suffered damage hands forces abbot burton charged goods king claimed taken earl lancaster money goods left battle value abbot claimed found single silver cup subsequently gave king finding large quantity silver coins suspected lancaster treasure near support abbot case case year edward felt able award previously belonged lancaster perpetual memory glorious victory god gave king enemies rebels near burton trent relieve condition abbey battle gave rise tradition nearby holding 2nd baron baron maintained herd white cattle black ears descended wild specimens found park formed ancient unusual black born herd said subsequent downfall house supporters lancaster subsequently said birth dark coloured herd death family year said preceded deaths 7th wife son wife son daughter wife 8th earl local tradition places legendary figure battle fighting lancaster
Battle of Burton Bridge (1322)