328 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



Blore township contains 29 houses, 33 families; males 97, fe- 

 males 90 : total 187. 



Blore Heath, about nine miles from Eccleshall, and bordering on 

 Shropshire, is celebrated as the scene of a bloody battle between 

 the Lancastrians and Yorkists in 1459, in which Lord Audley, 

 who commanded for the King-, was defeated by the Earl of Salis- 

 bury, with the loss of 2400 men. The Earl of Salisbury was at 

 that time on his march from Middleham Castle, with four or five 

 thousand men, under pretence of settling with the King the dis- 

 putes of the two Houses. Margaret, the faithful and spirited con- 

 sort of Henry VI., fearing for her husband's safety, directed Lord 

 Audley to intercept him on his way. He posted himself on Blore 

 Heath with ten thousand troops, collected out of Cheshire and 

 Shropshire, whose chieftains were distinguished by silver swans, 

 the badges of their young prince. Salisbury, notwithstanding the 

 disparity of numbers, determined to stand the fortune of the day, 

 but wisely had recourse to stratagem. He encamped at night on 

 the banks of a rivulet, not broad but deep, and in the morning 

 pretended a retreat. Audley following him with the impetuous 

 valour natural to himself and the times, Salisbury made an instant 

 attack on the divided forces of the Lancastrians. The field was 

 long disputed with the animosity usual in civil feuds. Audley 

 fell, with two thousand four hundred of his troops, chiefly the 

 flower of the Cheshire gentry, whose courage led them to the front 

 of the battle. The Queen fled to Eccleshall Castle, and Salisbury 

 joined the Duke of York at Ludlow.* 



Rapin's account of this battle is as follows : " Lord Audley was 

 encamped on Blore-heath near a little river ; Salisbury posted 

 himself on the other side, as if he meant to guard the pass, and 

 hinder his being attacked ; then suddenly feigning a fear, he re- 

 tired in the night, marching so as, at break of day, his enemies 

 could still see the rear of his army. This retreat, which seemed 

 to be with precipitation, inspiring the Royalists with ardour, they 

 began to pass the river in disorder, imagining that they had no- 

 thing to do but pursue the flying enemy. But whilst they were 

 in this confusion, some being over the river, others in the water, 

 and others ready to pass, the Earl of Salisbury returned;, and fell 

 upon the troops already over, who had scarce time to draw up. 

 The fight lasted, however, four or five hours, because the King'* 

 troops were supported by those that were continually passing. 



Pennant, and " Gener^ Historj," of this Wojk. 



