Battle of Nibley Green
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Nibley Green was fought on March 20, 1469 (modern historians would date the battle in 1470 - prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in England the start of the new year was 25th March; the battle being fought on the 20th March meant it fell into the previous year), between the troops of Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle
and William Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley. It is notable for being the last battle fought in England
entirely between the private armies of feudal magnate
s.
and the other Berkeley lands, Lisle being heir-general to Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley
and Berkeley heir-male. Lisle impetuously challenged Berkeley to a battle, and the latter agreed, the battle to be fought the next day at Nibley Green.
In the little time available, Lisle could only raise a force among his ill-equipped local tenants. Berkeley, however, could draw upon a garrison from Berkeley Castle as well as his local levies, and he was reinforced by men led by his brother Maurice and miners from the Forest of Dean
. This gave him a considerable advantage in numbers, about 1,000 to 300.
Philip Mead (or Mede) of Wraxall
an Alderman and Mayor of Bristol in 1459, 1462 & 1469 sent some men on the Berkeley side. Maurice Berkeley had married Isabel Mead, Philip's daughter, for which act of marrying beneath his social status he had been disinherited of the Berkeley lands by his elder brother, William. This was hardly a mark of gratitude for Mead's assistance.
opened fire and broke up the charge. One of the Dean Foresters
, an archer named "Black Will", shot Lisle in the left temple through his open visor and unhorsed him. A few dagger-strokes from the archers ensured Lisle's death, and his leaderless army broke and fled.
and sacked it.
Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle
Thomas Talbot, 2nd Baron Lisle and 2nd Viscount Lisle , English nobleman, was the son of John Talbot, 1st Viscount Lisle and Joan Cheddar.He married Margaret Herbert, the daughter of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke....
and William Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley. It is notable for being the last battle fought in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
entirely between the private armies of feudal magnate
Magnate
Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man, itself from Latin magnus 'great', designates a noble or other man in a high social position, by birth, wealth or other qualities...
s.
Prelude
Lisle and Berkeley had long been engaged in a dispute over the inheritance of Berkeley CastleBerkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle is a castle in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, UK . The castle's origins date back to the 11th century and it has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.The castle has remained within the Berkeley family since they reconstructed it in the...
and the other Berkeley lands, Lisle being heir-general to Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley
Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley
Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley the Magnificent was an English peer born in the Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England to Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley and Elizabeth le Despencer....
and Berkeley heir-male. Lisle impetuously challenged Berkeley to a battle, and the latter agreed, the battle to be fought the next day at Nibley Green.
In the little time available, Lisle could only raise a force among his ill-equipped local tenants. Berkeley, however, could draw upon a garrison from Berkeley Castle as well as his local levies, and he was reinforced by men led by his brother Maurice and miners from the Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
. This gave him a considerable advantage in numbers, about 1,000 to 300.
Philip Mead (or Mede) of Wraxall
Wraxall, Somerset
Wraxall is a village in North Somerset in England. The parish of the same name also included Nailsea and Flax Bourton until 1811. It is now within the parish of Wraxall and Failand.-History:...
an Alderman and Mayor of Bristol in 1459, 1462 & 1469 sent some men on the Berkeley side. Maurice Berkeley had married Isabel Mead, Philip's daughter, for which act of marrying beneath his social status he had been disinherited of the Berkeley lands by his elder brother, William. This was hardly a mark of gratitude for Mead's assistance.
Battle
Lisle led his men in a charge against Berkeley's troops as they emerged from a stand of woods. Berkeley's archersArchery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
opened fire and broke up the charge. One of the Dean Foresters
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
, an archer named "Black Will", shot Lisle in the left temple through his open visor and unhorsed him. A few dagger-strokes from the archers ensured Lisle's death, and his leaderless army broke and fled.
Aftermath
As Lisle's army dispersed, Berkeley advanced to Lisle's manor of Wotton-under-EdgeWotton-under-Edge
Wotton-under-Edge is a market town within the Stroud district of Gloucestershire, England. Located near the southern end of the Cotswolds, the Cotswold Way long-distance footpath passes through the town. Standing on the B4058 Wotton is about from the M5 motorway. The nearest railway station is...
and sacked it.
Further reading
- Fleming, Peter & Wood, Michael. Gloucestershire's Forgotten Battle: Nibley Green 1470, 2003