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Lancastrians. I think we must take it for granted that Fabyan 
and Polydore Vergil would not have thought it prudent, even 
had they dared, to correct any traditions which attributed 
cruel behaviour to the Yorkist leaders. 
The Chronicle which gives the best account of the battle 
of Tewkesbury, and of the parallel marchings of the two armies 
through the vale of the Severn, is no doubt Fleetwood’s MS., 
entitled “Historie of the Arrivall of Edward IV in England, 
“and the finall Recoverye of his Kingdomes from Henry VI, 
A.D. MCCCCLXXI.” The name of the author is not known, 
but he describes himself as “a servant of Edward IV,” and 
declares that he “presently saw in effect a great parte of his 
“exploytes, and the resydewe knew by true relation of them 
“that were present at every tyme.”” This Chronicle forms the 
1st volume of the Camden Society’s first series. 
On Friday, May 3rd, 1471, Queen Margaret arrived before 
the gates of Gloucester, at 10 a.m., and demanded admittance. 
But Edward had sent messengers to the Governor, Richard 
Beauchamp, the son of Lord Beauchamp, bidding him “ keep 
“the towne and city” for him, and promising speedy succour 
if the Lancastrians attempted to enter by force; and Beauchamp 
obeyed. 
Had Gloucester opened its gates to the Lancastrian army, 
and thus enabled Queen Margaret to cross the Severn, and join 
forces with Jasper Tudor, who was marching from Chepstow 
to her assistance, the issue of the campaign might have been 
very different. One hundred and seventy two years later the 
closed gates of Gloucester were once more fatal to her English 
sovereign. 
Thwarted in their design, the Lancastrian leaders deter- 
mined to proceed to Tewkesbury (with what immediate aim it 
is difficult to ascertain); and at 4 p.m. they took up their 
position “in a close even at the towne’s ende; the towne and 
“Abbey at theyre backs; afore them and upon every hand of 
“them fowle lanes and depe dikes, and many hedges, with hills 
‘and valleys, a right evill place to approche as coulde well 
“have bene devysed.” 
