197 
It may seem strange to us that the Lancastrians did not 
put the Severn between them and their enemies; but we must 
remember that there was no bridge over the Severn at Tewkes- 
bury at that time, or indeed until 1826. The next bridge above 
Gloucester was at Upton-on-Severn. 
The Lancastrians had the choice of (1), selecting the 
strongest position they could find on the Gloucester and 
Tewkesbury road, and fortifying it as well as they could with 
the time and means at their disposal; (2), attempting to cross 
the Severn at the Lower or Upper Lode; or (8), crossing the 
Avon by the bridge which spanned both branches a little below 
the parting, and a little above the junction of one branch with 
the Severn. 
The real reason why they adopted the first plan seems to 
have been that their men were utterly worn out, after a long 
day’s march, and refused to go any further. But it would have 
been a perilous attempt, and one which would have exposed 
the rear of the army to destruction, to cross a broad river like 
the Severn by a ford or a ferry, with a powerful foe close upon 
them. Again, had they marched through Tewkesbury, crossed 
the Avon, and taken up their position on the Mythe, they would 
have given Edward possession of the town; and he would, by 
crossing the Lower Lode, have been enabled to intercept the 
men and supplies that Jasper Tudor was bringing to the Queen. 
It seems very probable that, in these circumstances, the Lan- 
castrians acted wisely; but, as we shall see, their leader, 
the Duke of Somerset, ruined all by his impetuosity the 
next day. 
King Edward, having sent messengers to Lord Beauchamp, 
started very early on the Friday morning from Little Sodbury, 
with 3,000 footmen and a small force of cavalry, marched along 
the ridge of the Cotteswolds by the ancient road which leads 
from Bath to Gloucester, and, descending Leckhampton Hill, 
came “unto a village called Chiltenham,” where he learned 
that Margaret had reached Tewkesbury, had entrenched herself, 
and intended to give him battle. 
Edward only halted at Cheltenham to refresh his men with 
