The flight of Edward left the kingdom entirely at Warwick's disposal. That nobleman hastened to Lon don; and summoning a parliament at Westminster, the unfortunate Henry was released from prison, and re stored to his throne. Being declared, however, incapa ble of governing, Warwick and Clarence were entrust ed with the regency during the minority of young Ed ward ; and, in failure of that prince's issue, Clarence was appointed successor to the crown. Many of the Yorkists fled beyond seas, others concealed themselves in London, and the Earl of Worcester was the only no bleman that suffered upon the restoration. But the tri umph of the Lancastrians was of short duration, and they were soon compelled in their turn to seek for refuge and protection from the fury of Edward.
The Duke of Burgundy had endeavoured to conci liate the friendship of the reigning party, by refusing all succours to his brother-in-law ; but, finding that Warwick had engaged in an alliance with the King of France, and had even sent over 4000 troops to Calais to make inroads into his territories, he resolved to as sist Edward in recovering the crown of England. He secretly equipped a small squadron in the ports of Zea land, in which, with 2000 men, Edward, after an ab sence of nine months, proceeded to England to try his fortune in the field of war. He landed at Ravenspur in Yorkshire ; but being coldly received, he pretended that he came not to disturb the peace of the kingdom, but merely to claim the inheritance of the house of York; when the adherents of his party flocked to him from all quarters. Warwick having assembled an army at Leicester, hastened to give him battle ; but Edward taking another road, passed him unmolested, and pre sented himself before the gates of London. Here he 4 as admitted without hesitation, and was even joined by the Archbishop of York, Warwick's brother. The feeble Henry was again taken from his throne, and carried back to his old prison in the Tower. Finding himself now in a condition to face the enemy, Edward met Warwick at Barnet, in the neighbourhood of the capital. Warwick had been reinforced by his son-in law the Duke of Clarence, and his brother the Mar quis of Montague; but the former deserted .to his bro ther Edward during the night with 12,000 men. This, however, did not discourage the brave Warwick. He had advanced too far to retreat; and, disdaining all the terms offered him by the enemy, he resolved to stake his fortune upon the issue of a battle. The en
gagement began early in the morning. The two most a'enowned generals of the age headed the contending armies, and their example inspired their followers with more than ordinary valour. Victory or death seemed to be the only alternative that was left them; and the battle continued long unabated and doubtful. But owing to a slight mist, the army of Warwick having mistaken a party of their friends for the enemy. fell upon them with such fury, that they drove them off the field. This error turned the fortune of the day ; and Warwick hav ing in vain attempted to retrieve the mistake, at last re solved to sell his life as dear as possible, and rushing into the thickest of the enemy, fell covered with wounds. His brother Montague perished with him ; and as or ders had been given by Edward to give no quarter, the •slaughter }vas dreadful.
On this fatal day, Queen Margaret and the Prince of Wales landed at Weymouth with a small body of French forces ; but, instead of meeting with the con gratulations which she expected, she was confounded by the intelligence of the death of Warwick, and the captivity of her husband. Her magnanimity, which. had formerly supported her under so many trials and disasters, now failed her ; and foreseeing the dismal con sequences of so fatal a reverse, she took sanctuary in. the abbey of Beaulieu. Here, however, her spiritS were revived, by the appearance of the Earl of Pem broke, the Duke of Somerset, and other powerful ba rons, who exhorted her still to hope for success, and offered her their lives and fortunes to support the cause of her family. Yielding to their encouragements, and flattered with the prospect of regaining her authority, she advanced into the heart of the kingdom, while Pembroke went to levy forces in Wales. Her army daily increased as she proceeded ; but the determined Edward overtook her at Tewksbury. The Duke of Somerset, a man of valour and abilities, but rash and impetuous, commanded the' Lancastrians. He repul sed the first attack of Edward with such vigour, that the Yorkists retired with precipitation ; and following up his success, he ordered Lord Wenlock to support him in the charge. But Wenlerck disobeyed his com mands ; and Somerset was overpowered by numbers. Enraged at his loss, and transported with fury at be holding Wenlock still inactive, he ran up to the cow ard, and .with one stroke of his battle-axe dashed out his brains.