HISTORICAL MEMORANDA OF 



hasten to Sandal Castle, a strong post, which he reached on the 21st 

 of December, with 6,000 men. The Earl of March followed 

 leisurely with the reserve. Taunted by Somerset, he agreed to 

 meet in the open field, altliough his enemies were treble the num- 

 ber. The conflict took place at Wakefield, before the Earl of 

 March could arrive. A day was appointed for the fight ; but, vio- 

 lating the strict laws of chivalry, the queen's party commenced the 

 attack while part of the duke's were absent in search of forage. 

 York's desperate courage availed him not. In half an hour 2,800 

 of his followers were slain, and he and Salisbury, covered with 

 wounds, fell into the hands of his remorseless enemies. The tutor 

 of young Rutland, a boy but twelve years of age, led him from the 

 field, in the hope of safety. Lord Clifibrd met them, and in spite of 

 all entreaties for mercy, plunged his dagger in the supplicant's 

 heart — bidding a priest, who had interceded for his life, carry the 

 tidings to his mother.* York was put to death ; and the savage 

 Clifford, carrying his head on a pole to Margaret, exclaimed '^ Ma- 

 dam, your war is done ; here is the ransom of your king." The 

 ruthless woman disgraced her sex and rank : she laughed at the 

 horrid spectacle, and ordered the head to be crowned with a paper 

 diadem, and placed, with those of Salisbury and others, over one of 

 the gates of York. Thus perished this heroic chief on the 31st of 

 December. His sister was Isabel, wife of Henry Bourchier, Earl of 

 Essex; and his wife, as before stated, Cecily Neville. By her he 

 had eight sons and four daughters : Edward, who succeeded to his 

 titles — Edmond, Duke of Rutland, who so cruelly perished at 

 Wakefield — George, created Duke of Clarence, in 1461, who mar- 

 ried Isabel, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury — Rich- 

 ard, created at the same time duke of Gloucester, afterwards Rich- 

 ard III — Henry, William, John, and Thomas, all of whom died 

 young — Ann, who married, 1st, Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter, 

 from whom she was divorced in 1472, and 2nd]y, Sir Thomas St. 

 Leger, knight — Alargaret, wife of Charles the Bold, Duke of Bur- 

 gundy — Elizabeth, who married John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk 

 — and Ursula. 



The young Duke of York received the news of his father's de- 

 feat, and the disastrous consequences, with great strength of mind, 

 and, conscious of his inability to avenge him, commenced his retreat 

 to Wigmore. He lost no time, however, in summoning his friends 



• Lord Clifford was called " the butcher." See Dugdale, and The Chro. 

 niclers. 



