March 1470 Welles' Rebellion and Battle of Losecoat Field aka Empingham

Before 3rd February 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles attacked Gainsborough Old Hall, Lincolnshire [Map] home of Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 39), a senior Yorkist, Edward IV's (age 27) Master of the Horse. It isn't known whether this attack was a consequence of local or national issues. King Edward IV of England summoned Robert's father Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 42) and uncle-in-law Thomas Dymoke (age 42) (married to Margaret Welles (age 38) sister of Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles) to London. Both initially went into Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey [Map] but were pardoned on 3rd March 1470.

After 3rd March 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles continued to resist King Edward IV of England (age 27) by raising forces in Lincolnshire. King Edward IV of England travelled north and threatened Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles with the execution of his father (age 42) and Thomas Dymoke (age 42) if Robert persisted in rebellion.

On 12th March 1470 King Edward IV of England (age 27) commanded at the Battle of Losecoat Field (Empingham).

Thomas Dymoke (age 42) and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 42) were beheaded at Queen's Cross, Stamford before the battle¹. His son Robert succeeded 8th Baron Welles.

The name 'Losecoat' not contemporary, and its meaning of men "losing their coats" may have been invented in the 19th Century. The name Losecoat appears to be first used in the 16th Century Hall's and Holinshed's Chronicles.

The 1475 attainder of Richard and Robert Welles refers to the battle having taken place "in a field called 'Hornefeld' in Empyngham",

Note 1. Some sources say on battlefield immediately prior to the battle, some after the batte

On 19th March 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles was beheaded at Doncaster [Map]. He was buried at Whitefriars Doncaster [Map]. Baron Welles forfeit. His sister Joan succeeded 9th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 37) by marriage Baron Willoughby de Eresby. He, Hastings, a favourite of King Edward IV of England (age 27), younger brother of Edward's great friend William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 39).

Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. [March 1470] In the x.Yere of King Edwarde in Marche Monith, the Feeld, alias Lorde Willoughby, the Lorde Welles his Sunne, Syr Thomas Thomas De.Delalande Knight, Syr Thomas Dymmok Knight the King Champion, drafe out of Lincolnshire Syr Thomas Burg, a Knight of the Kinges House, pullid doune his Place, and toke al his Goodes, and Cataylles, and gatherid a 30. Thousand of the Commons, and cryed, " King Henry." The Duke of Clarence, and the Erle of Warwike were cause of this, as they were of Banbyri Feld.The King Edwarde gave Lord Willoughby his Pardon, and fent for hym, and havyng hym in Custodye commaundid him, payne of Deth, to cause the Lincolnshir Men to ley doune theyr Host, and fo he writ: but yn vayn.Wherapon Lord Willoughbys Hed was smit of.And King Edward set on the Lincolnshir Men, and sparkelid them with his Ordinaunce, and flew many of the Commons.

The Lorde Welles, Syr Thomas Delaland, and Syr Thomas Dymmok were taken, and behedid.Then the Duke of Clarence and the Erle of Warwick fledde to the See side, and and thens saylid to Southampton, wher they had thought to have had the Trinite, a greate Ship of the Erles of Warwike, but the Lorde Scales, the Quenes Brother, ther faught with them, and they fled to Fraunce.

Chronicle of Jean de Waurin [1400-1474]. 12th March 1470. And when he learned that indeed Sir Robert Welles did not cease from his false and disloyal enterprise, but instead showed himself firmly as his adversary and was armed with a deployed banner, the King and the great lords with him decided that it was neither expedient nor honourable for the King to expose himself to the risk of battle without first obtaining justice against Sir Robert Welles and his accomplices for the perverse and disloyal treason they had committed against his royal majesty. Thus, the King immediately commanded that under his banner they [Thomas Dymoke (age 42) and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 42)] be executed on the spot, which was done. Having executed this order, the King then marched his army forward toward the rebels.

Et quant il sceut que veritablement ledit sire Robert de Vellus ne desistoit pas de sa faulse et desleale emprinse, ains se moustroit formeement son adversaire et estoit en armes a baniere desploiee, fut advise par le roy et les grans seigneurs estans avecques luy quil nestoit pas expedient ne honnourable au roy de exposer sa personne en adventure de bataille sans premiers avoir justice lesdis seigneur de Vellus et ses complices prisonniers pour les parverses et desloyalles trahisons par eulz commises a lencontre de sa royalle mageste, si commanda le roy presentement sur les champz desoubz sa baniere yceulz estre executez jusques a mort, comme ilz furent; et ce fait fist le roy marchier son ost avant vers lesdis rebelles.

Chronicle of Jean de Waurin [1400-1474]. 12th March 1470. And as the battles met, the commoners cried out "Clarence, Warwick!" for Sir Robert Welles, their captain, wore the livery of the Duke of Clarence. But it pleased Our Lord to send victory to King Edward over his enemies, who numbered more than thirty thousand men, the majority of whom would have been slain if not for the abundant grace and kindness of the King, who, seeing their defeat, made every effort to cease the said killing to save his subjects.

Et au joindre les batailles les communes cryoient "Clarence a Warewic!" el portoit messire Robert de Vellus, leur capittaine, la livree du duc de Clarence; mais il pleut a Nostre Seigneur envoier au roy Edouard la victore sur ses annemis, qui estoient plus de trente mille hommes, dont la pluspart eussent este occis se ne feust la plentureuse grace et benignite du roy, qui, voiant leur descomfiture, se mist, en paine et labeur de faire cesser la ditte occision pour saulver ses subgectz.

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. 12th March 1470. And in Lyncolnshyre sir Robert Wellys, sone unto the lorde Wellys before put to deth, in this whyle had also assembled a great bende of men, purposyd to gyue the kynge a felde. Of all whiche tydynges whenne the kynge was assertayned, he with his sayde broder the duke spedde hym northwarde, and in that whyle sent to the sayde sir Robert Wellys, wyllyng hym to sende home his people and come to hym, and he shuld haue his grace. But that other answerid, that by lyke promysse his fader was disceyued, and that shulde be his example. But in conclusion, whan the kynge with his power drewe nere unto hym, he toke suche fere that he fledde, and soone after was taken, and with hym sir Thomas Dymmok (age 42), knyght, and other, the whiche were shortly after put to deth.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. 12th March 1470. And in the meane season, he with hys army went forward towarde his enemyes, hauynge with hym the lorde Welles, and syr Thomas Dymocke, and beynge not past two dayes iorney from Stamford, where hys enemies had pitched their felde, had perryt knowlege that syr Robert Welles nothyng moued with hys fathers letters, styl kept his campe, abyding the kyng and his power. The kynge hauyng hygh indignacion at hys presumpcion and mynded to be revenged in parte, cotrary to his faith and promise caused the lord Welles, father to the saide syr Robert and syr Thomas Dymocke to be behedded there, to the terrible example of other, which shal put their confidece in the promise of a prince. Whe syr Robert Welles hard that the kyng drew nere, and that hys father (age 42) & syr Thomas Dymocke (age 42) ware behedded, he stode firste in a greate perplexitie, studyeng whither he should gyue battail or no, because it was both perilous and doughtfull to fight with so great an arrnye, before the erle of Warwycke with hys power were assembled, but yet hauyng a yonge and a lusty courage, and with manly boldnes stimulate, and pricked forward, he set on hys enemyes.

The battayle was sore fought on bothe partes, & many a man slayne And in conclusion, whyle syr Robert was exhortyng and prouokynge hys men to tary, which were in manerdisconfit, and redy to flye, he was enuyroned and beset aboute with his enemyes, and so was taken, and with hym syr Thomas Delaund knyght and many mo. After hys takyng, the Lyncolnshyre men amased, threw away their coates, the lighter to runneaway, and ded, and therfore thys battayl is yet there called Losecote felde. The kyng, glad of this victory, commaunded out of hand syr Robert Welles and divers other, to be put to execucio in the same place. The fame was, that at thys battayll were slayne. x. M. men at the least.

Warkworth's Chronicle. [12th March 1470] And so the Kynge (age 27) toke his oste and went towarde his enemyes, and losyde his gonnys of his ordynaunce uppone them, and faught with them, and anone the comons fledde away; but ther was many manne slayne of Lyncolneschyre, and the Lorde Wellys, Sere Thomas Delalonde, and Sere Thomas Dymmoke (age 42), knights, takene and beheddede.

Holinshed's Chronicle [1525-1582]. 12th March 1470. sir Robert Welles, hearing that the king approched, and that his father (age 42) and sir Thomas Dimmocke (age 42) were beheaded, though he was somewhat doubtfull to fight, before the earle of Warwike were with his power assembled, yet hauing a yoong and lustie courage, manfullie set on his enimies. The battell was sore fought on both sides, and manie a man slaine; till sir Robert, perceiving his people at point to flie, was busilie in hand to exhort them to tarie, and in the meane time compassed about with enimies was there taken, £& with him sir Thomas de Land knight, and manie more. After the taking of their capteine, the Lincolneshire men amazed, threw awaie their coats the lighter to run awaie, and fled amaine, and therefore this battell is called there yet unto tins daie, Losecote field.

Before 16th March 1475 Joan Welles 9th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died.

Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby (age 22) de jure 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Margaret Jenney Baroness Willoughby of Eresby (age 15) by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

King Edward IV of England (age 32) had father and son [Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby and Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles] posthumously attainted some five years after the Welles' Rebellion [see Patent Rolls] to ensure Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 42) would continue to enjoy the benefit of the Welles' estates.

Another example of King Edward IV of England being somewhat disingenuous with the legal system to his own advantage. He, Edward was, in effect, disinheriting Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby who should have inherited Baron Willoughby de Eresby and John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 25) who should have inherited Baron Welles following Joan's death.

Patent Rolls. 16th March 1475. Exemplification, at the request of William Broune of Staumford, Westminster. 'marchaunt,' of the tenour of an article in an act (English) of attaint in the Parliament summoned at Westminster on 6 October, 12 Edward IV. and continued by divers prorogations to 23 January, 14 Edward IV. ordaining that whereas Richard Welles late of Hellowe, co. Lincoln, knight, caused Robert Welles late of Hellowe, knight, and Thomas Delalaunde late of Horblyng, co. Lincoln, knight, and others to assemble together against the king and they made war against the king on 12 March, 10 Edward IV. in a field called 'Hornefeld' in Empyngham, co. Rutland, the said Richard, Robert and Thomas be convicted of high treason and forfeit all the possessions which they had on the said 12 March except the manors of Lilleford, co. Northampton, and Hokyngton, co. Cambridge, whereof Thomas FitzWilliam the elder and Thomas FltzWilliam the younger were seised to the same time that they made estate thereof to Jahne late the wife of Richard Hastynges (age 42), knight, and heirs in fee and after the said Richard and Jahne sold the same manors to the said William and of the same levied a fine to the use of him and his heirs. [Rolls of Parliament, VI. 144.]