172 ON THE TRACK OF THE MAIL-COACH 



the rear, there swept across the same heath the 

 forces of Edward IV., confronting those of Eichard 

 Neville, Earl of Warwick and Salisbury, marching 

 from the North. They met on Easter Day, April 14, 

 1471, at Hadley, just outside Barnet. Highways, 

 meadow-lands, the seats of the nobility, farmhouses, 

 and modern villas have effaced all traces of the heath. 

 But its limits and aspect may easily be surmised — 

 soft turf and broken ground dotted with clumps of 

 trees stretching as far as the eye could reach. The 

 tenacious soil of Middlesex and Herts favours the 

 growth of the oak, and keeps a grass-grown surface 

 fresh as a bowling-green. 



Here then, for the most part level or with gentle 

 undulations, would be an open battlefield, three miles 

 by two. One can picture Warwick's host extended 

 on the low crests of Dancer's Hill and Bentley Heath; 

 its left resting on Ganwick Corner, and its right on 

 Dyrham Park ; and Edward's force, clear of the town, 

 its right Ij'ing on the Mount next the school-house 

 at Hadley, and its left on the crest of Eidge Lane 

 and the cartway leading to Barnet Gate — a clear mile 

 between the opposing lines. Then came the battle. 

 Before long Warwick lay dead under the trees at 

 Hadley Highstone, and Edward's men were sabring 

 the routed as they fled to Eidge, to Barnet, Cock- 

 fosters, and Mill Hill. 



It was on Gladsmuir Heath that, as Collier states, 

 * the last petals of the Eed Eose were scattered to the 

 winds.' 



