The Battle of Blore Heath (Wars of the Roses), 1459 & A Personal Connection

The Battle of Blore Heath happened on 23rd September 1459, during the Wars of the Roses, and I have a personal connection to the battle. Graham Turner's fantastic scene from the Battle of Blore Heath: / 388751309379968
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[@The_Reality_Filter]

Please sir, can we have some more...Battle History Lessons.

[@ethanspearman3842]

I appreciate your final comments about remembering the human reality of these situations. I think that it is often lost on enthusiasts today.

[@MusMasi]

even about current or recent conflicts.

[@timstatler7714]

I always love the phrase "Died without issue." I am positive he had a great issue with dying at that time.

[@Robocopnik]

Probably not too many dying gasps of "Actually, this fits into my schedule pretty... well... "

[@Dg78421]

Lord Audley (James Touchet) is my 18th great grandfather. Thanks for the details! Fascinating that your ancestor killed mine. He was 61 years old at the time. An old warrior who fell in battle!

[@robbikebob]

Yeah, I'd like to see more about family history. I'm pretty keen to try it myself and I'd be very interested in hints and tips....

[@isaiahmarkwell626]

I am interested in genealogical videos. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. As an aside, thank you for all the years of entertaining educational information. You run one of my favorite channels on KZbin.

[@aaronthedragonslayer1279]

It's so cool that you did the genealogy. Those results would give me a sense of pride. Soldier on Captain Context! 😎⚔

[@johnladuke6475]

Take impressive ancestry with a grain of salt, though. My father is a hobby genealogist, and he often says that pretty much anyone can say they're related to the pharaohs, because by the time you go back that far you've got so *many* ancestors that *someone* had to be royalty.

[@mmhthree]

I have found my share of French and English royals, but I'm most interested in all the lower level nobles in my tree: such as high sheriffs, foresters, marcher lords, castle admins, and others who did the every day, difficult jobs supporting the crown. It also seems more realistic to me. We're still a pretty strong family, and have found my own tree filled with these knights who fought in all these wars of England and Europe. I really never put two and two together and realised my grandfathers would have participated in these world events of their time. It's been an awesome experience and I suggest we all find out what our grandparents did in those times.

[@peterhiggins2928]

I live just down the road from Blore Heath yet only found out about the battle last year whilst reading a book about The Wars of The Roses. I'm 38. I've traced my family back to the 1800s and they're all super local so I'm hoping I'll find a link to someone like De Audley, chances are my ancestors were always peasants though.

[@michaelsauls1142]

By all means, let us know about family history in a historical context. I find it fascinating to learn about what specific people were doing in a given era.

[@MorbidEel]

"The Mostly Okay Hedge" doesn't really have the right ring to it.

[@robbikebob]

What about the "not really adequate at all hedge"?

[@VompoVompatti]

Nearly satisfactory hedge

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Somewhat underwhelming hedge?

[@ironpirate8]

Was it that great? I'm on the fence.

[@chrismccarter6875]

I did my ancestry a few years ago, got back to many of the commanders on both sides of the war of the roses, many were killed in the wars, one, John Clifford was killed when he removed his bevor and was shot through the neck with an arrow

[@humbleopinion7694]

Good point about the human stories behind the battles etc. I came to the battle of Blore Heath via an ancestor too - my 15th g grandma was Ann Touchet, her father was Lord Audley - she was married to Thomas Dutton . On the 23rd of September 1459 she lost her father, her husband and their eldest son Peter.

[@mtgAzim]

No Matt we wouldn't "like" to see more about family history... We'd LOVE IT!!! Please do more! ^_^

[@janrobertbos]

yeah, so would I

[@legionistapolski]

Absolutely support further videos on family history and genealogy research. I've been working on my own for several years now, and have made some really interesting discoveries.

[@andreweden9405]

The Albion "Lancaster" is a perfect choice of sword for the topic! Matt, since you've been doing more videos covering Japanese weapons, it would be awesome if you could talk about the Japanese equivalent of rondel, bolluck, and other Late Medieval European daggers. They're called Yoroi-doshi(sp?), and they're very pointy, thick and spikey for the same purpose, piercing armor. Looking forward to this video! Thank you!

[@llamabing5215]

That sounds cool, weapons (as in nature) evolve toward a common purpose even if from distant points, a comparison between European and Japanese and maybe other anti armour / stabby-stab-in-the-joints weapons would be very interesting

[@MtRevDr]

Although the Japanese has the armor piercer and the armor breaker, it is not shown by experiment that they can practically pierce and break Japanese armor. the hardened scales are supposed to be harder than the car plates Cold Steel use to show the piercing ability of their tanto and blades. Love to see lots of practical experiments of them.

[@FoardenotFord]

Love the Albion Lancaster - my favorite sword I own. Awesome (family) history Matt!

[@andreweden9405]

@@FoardenotFord , I love the Lancaster too! I own the Albion "Burgundian", but the Lancaster is definitely among my very favorite of Albion's Late Medieval arming swords! Both would be ideal if one were facing a heavily armored opponent.

[@Deovin46AL]

I've had a passing interest in the Wars of the Roses for as long as I can remember, but it was genealogical discoveries that really deepened my interest in the conflict. Current count is four Lancastrians on my mother's line and one Yorkist on my father's line. The only time any of them seem to have faced each other was at Towton; Sir Lionel "Leo" de Welles, 6th Baron Welles (a 15th great-grandfather) on the Lancastrian side and Sir Walter Devereux, 7th Baron Ferrers (an 18th great-grandfather) on the Yorkist. Sir Leo appears to have also been involved at Blore Heath.

[@3851035]

I remember reading an article some time ago about how families in eternal conflict will commit sons to both sides, as a way of hedging bets. The comparison was made between the Wars of the Roses and the current forces in Afghanistan, as a way of explaining why Afghan forces would crumble so quickly following a US withdrawl.

[@tamlandipper29]

Interesting notion. But accident of diverse families simpler mechanism than a Corleone strategic council.

[@Columkille72]

Thank You for the reminder at the end. The aspect of brutality, suffering and tragic often comes up short in our enthusiasm for medieval weapons, fighting and warfare. Glad You made this point.

[@charlesdrew3947]

Great video, very interesting. As a reenactor of this period I do find it personally useful to remember that these were real people doing it for real and it must have been absolutely aweful and terrifying. The methods of war have changed but it is still aweful and terrifying and I think it's important to remember that no matter how we dress it up.

[@GrumpaGladstone1809]

I grew up in Market Drayton, two miles from the battle field, great to hear about it!!!

[@scottn96]

Very good approach to generate empathy for those people that fought wars with this type of equipment. This best they could do for duty in the face of horror.

[@SeanMahoneyfitnessandart]

Awesome family history story!! So cool! My 11th and 12th great grandfathers were Jan Janszonn van Salea a Dutch pirate captain who lead the Salé Rovers and his son Anthony Janszoon van Salea who was one of the 10 original signers of the founding of New Amsterdam. He was eventually kicked out of the colony because he and his wife alone accounted for 10% of the total crime in the area 😂😅 ..... My dad said, "well that explains a lot."

[@elijahbrown9738]

Really enjoyed this deviation from the normal content. I love coverage of these old battles.

[@defaultytuser]

Great epilogue, Matt. It's pretty easy for all of us who love medieval history to loose sight of the fact that most of it was covered in blood , death and loss. I imagine having two of you great grandfathers taking part in it really brought the "unromantized" side of history close to home. Cheers and thanks for your videos!

[@justins3267]

Love when you talk about some of these old battles. Good on ya 👍🏻

[@TheZinmo]

Love the illustrations!

[@Mr1bobbunny]

Really interesting and fascinating i enjoyed this video. Britain has so many forgotten blood soaked battle sites that really need investigating. Amazing to find out your ancestors fought at the battle as well.

[@James44789]

Recently traced my ancestors, Sir John Huddleston of Millom Castle to Blore Heath (18th great grandfather), and Sir Richard Huddleston to the War of The Roses, apparently falling at Bosworth. Sir Richard has an effigy at Millom Castle, would love to see it someday!

[@TrungNguyen-du9cn]

Thank you, lord Easton.

[@tra779]

I was shocked to see this video as I'm from Market Drayton and used to drive over Bloore Heath often we even did a bit of it at primary school. I was even more shocked when you said you were related to the Kynastons as my grandmother on my mums side used to tell us we were related to Humphrey "Red" Kynaston, a highwayman who was the son of Sir Roger

[@scholagladiatoria]

Wild Humphrey was my 11th great-grandfather :-) I am related to the Kynastons through the Rogers line on my father's side (those lines connecting in the 1600s).

[@tra779]

@@scholagladiatoria I really need to dig into it myself, great video

[@TF141studios]

Absolutely stunning video! I love the family connection and it would my dearest dream to make a discovery like that!

[@williamblaker2628]

Very interesting battle, and nice to see your family connection to it! I, too, am interested in genealogy, and found that my 22nd great grandfather was Edmund "Crouchback", the 1st Earl of Lancaster, for whom the House of Lancaster was created.

[@eliane2743]

This is the kind of aside that makes your channel head and shoulders above other similar channels.

[@MATIati696]

Amazing story... Thank you.

[@PhilKelley]

Thank you, that was an excellent video. I especially appreciated the personal connection. I will have to check my family history to see if any of my ancestors (Doans; many variants of the spelling) were also at that battle. I am very interested in ancestry, especially after watching your video on the subject. I also love history and spend a lot of time reading history. My motto is a variation on a comment Yogi Berra once made: "Things are hard to predict. Especially history". You clearly understand that.

[@Feminismisfornobody]

Honest and accurate battle descriptions are so much different to what i grew up with on the history channel. And i way prefer it, I'd much rather a "we're pretty sure this happened" than the alternative.

[@Lost1One-rl9cj]

Hi, first wanted to say loved the video. My grandma’s mother was a Keniston in America that I was able to trace to Sir Roger Kynaston. I’ve done a lot of research and it is said Sir Roger is also the one who slew Robert Earl of Warwick. I believe it is a true story because the Kynaston ancestors donated the seal of the Earl of Warwick taken from the battle of Barnet to the British Museum. There was also a poem written I believe around the time of the battle honoring Sir Roger

[@DaglaRumad]

Genealogy can help bring history home to you if you are fortunate enough to know your own ancestry. It can indeed take you quite far back. I find it very interesting.

[@thehistoadian]

Aparently my 20th great grandfather was Robert the Bruce, amazing what you can find in family history!

[@markfergerson2145]

Yes, I think we would all appreciate more of your family history in the martial context. Some detail on how you go about it would help those of us who'd like to do the same. As to your closing comments it's been said that most wars involve people who don't know each other fighting at the behest of, and for the benefit of, people who do know each other. Que plus ca change...

[@themordyn]

Indeed my friend! much more of battle leasons, please!

[@richb3802]

Great video Matt, thanks. Would like to see you cover more battles in the future.

[@kebman]

My famliy and especially my mother did a lot of research on her side of the family. We then tracked it back to 1100 before the written records ended here in Norway. No kings in that line, but the farmstead we come from was big enough to entertain the King when he rode past, so most likely some local viking chief.

[@GenghisDon1970]

awesome tale...feel free to have more like this!

[@krissteel4074]

The rout and slaughter through the Wars of the Roses battles does tend to follow a lot of examples like this one, there's literally no quarter for anyone caught which must have made it a particularly traumatic event. Especially when you consider on a civil war like this that went on for 30 years or so, they probably had some knowledge of the guys on the other side- maybe at a personal or at least passing level in some cases.

[@grailknight6794]

Great reminder to appreciate our modern comforts... history is part of us all. Matt you are a natinal treasure lol

[@occhamite]

I know I'm probably asking questions which cannot be answered, but your description of the first cavalry charge, and then the turnabout of the Yorkists to meet it reminded me of Napoleon's strategy at Austerlitz: made me wonder if the Yorkists didn't make a feint in order to draw the Lancastrian forces in. That is often way a small army defeats a large one : fighting parts of it and defeating them in detail. This idea seems gain merit from the readiness with which Lacastrian forces changed sides in the middle of the battle, and one wonders if the Yorkist commander might have known the minds of his opposite numbers, and calculated upon a hotheads or the disaffected acting alone.

[@puliturchannel7225]

1:51 Pink horse has a funny knob. Also the expression is funny.

[@kasrashirdel677]

What a result for York. They came on as the underdog and really shone. Lancaster will have to ask some hard questions after this humiliation. All the odds were on them but they just choked and didn't work as a team. Career-ending injury for Audley only rubbed salt in the wound. Great stuff.

[@kingmaker2865]

I took part in the reenactment on the battlefield once. Gutted it ended,

[@juvenal8929]

Awesome video, would love to hear more of these.

[@DidMyGrandfatherMakeThis]

Sometimes a snowstorm *cough* Towton *cough*... Love the work sir!

[@HypocriticYT]

Great you have such interesting family history. Always interested in that sort of thing

[@duskworkerdron5901]

All in favor of more videos about battles as well as family history!

[@sharp_medicine9858]

A wagon fort was used by the English in the battle of the herrings during the hundred years war. No herrings where used in the battle however.

[@EntropicEcho]

Even then people were civilised enough not to use such brutal weapons like herrings on each other

[@zerofox975]

Were any herrings used for cutting down great trees, though?

[@EntropicEcho]

@@zerofox975 You need sawfish for that..

[@zerofox975]

Ah! No wonder King Arthur refused the request of the knights who, ehm ...previously said "Ni"!

[@hector_2999]

Again, it is the legend.

[@peterlynchchannel]

There were at least two Hundred Years War battles where the English used a wagon fort. There was "Battle of the Herrings" (English victory) during the siege of Orleans and the battle of La Brossinière (French victory).

[@Omegaroth666]

Great video! Looking forward to more combat analysis. 😊

[@Cleanpea]

Good job, this video's production is great!

[@neptunenx01]

Absolutely loved this!! Lloyd would be proud! Please do more!!

[@wallaroo1295]

Mr. Easton, *Yes Please!* regarding the genealogy. It is kind of difficult to jump back over the pond for many Americans. I think particularly for those who were pre-American Revolution British Colonists. I think there was a bit of re-booting of family trees, which makes complete sense in the wake of a revolution. About all we often have left to go on is family name - like mine - SGT Abiathar Evans, Connecticut Reg, Valley Forge and Battles of Monmouth. So, I know he was here for sure. And I am very very fortunate to have that sort of record - most don't So, that's about all Americans can go by is things like, "MacDougal" "Sharp" "Williams" "Edwards" all kinds of Scottish names... Or the names of towns where ancestors came from and chose that as their new name during emigration, "York" "Wilshire" "Cambridge" etc. My mom's side is very British, being from Nantucket them - the Foxes. Lots of neat whaling era history there. And Stockley - which is, possibly through an adoption of an ancestor in Newfoundland - but, he was a sailor and records are very scant. That one I have found goes back to a Sheriff in England. and the combination of all of those turned out pretty cool in me, as I was in the Army, then later in the Alaska Territorial Guard (kind of like Coast Guard Reserve for those wondering, an official State function, but the reserve of the reserve type thing) because in my active job, I was a Peace Officer... With a strong sense of Liberty and Justice - so, I don't know could be some genetic blobbery stuff there after 7+ generations! 🤣 So, even though a lot of Americans might not be able to directly trace our ancestry to actual people in England - just knowing a little bit about the family names and history is really cool, and in particular - the heraldry. Americans are a lot more nutso for heraldry than we think we are; once you start looking for it, it's everywhere. Thank you Mr. Easton! Always learn something when I watch. ~W

[@rogerlafrance6355]

My view. Unlike the Hundred Years War that used paid professionals, wars between English factions, starting before Steven and Matilda to the Civil War were all inclusive of the population and dependent of what side the local lord chose, whether you agreed or not. That your lord knew nothing of tactics and you only that the pointy end should point at the enemy, no matter. Thus, these were all long bloody affairs. Also, besides the battles, there were sieges on castles and city walls, raids, banditry and anything else to take advantage of.

[@johnladuke6475]

@TFEA Sure, "most" lords would have had "some" tactical experience. But many of them would have been the guy who always commands the losing side in the war games. The guy who is more interested in importing exotic fruits and fine wines, than in fighting a war. Like Matt's proposed theory - Audley was a bit dopey and inexperienced, and flung his cavalry to their doom. Once he was out of the way, Dudley was able to order the correct tactic, an infantry advance.

[@rogerlacaille3148]

Definitely interested, this show was very interesting, thank you

[@not-a-theist8251]

damn matt you have a famous ancestor. More of that in the future please!

[@JosefGustovc]

A war wagon coverage actually was already used by the English in the battle of Crecy. The archers used it as cover to shoot up the Genoese crossbowmen.

[@lotrojoe]

This is probably my favorite video by you in recent time, and they've all been great vids! I'm interested in the ancestry as well!

[@Verdunveteran]

Really interesting video! You should do more vieos on the subjects, both the War of the roses aswell as your research into your ancestors. Cheers from Sweden

[@channingb2577]

Very interesting and well-told story. Enjoyed this video a lot.

[@SuperOtter13]

How fascinating to find out that much family was at the battle. I bet that was an amazing feeling to discover.

[@PhallusCooper]

Great video! I'd love to see more videos about your family history.

[@stephenmundane]

"We do not know for certain what stratagem Salisbury employed, but it is possible that he simulated the start of a Yorkist retreat by ordering that the draught-horses be re-harnessed to the wagons. Audley, who had been charged by Queen Margaret with Salisbury's capture, would have been unlikely to let such an opportunity pass, and the fact that he attacked with his troops mounted, ready for pursuit, suggests that he believed the enemy to be retreating." David Smurthwaite, The Ordnance Survey Complete Guide to the Battlefields of Britain, Fourth Edition, 1989.

[@johnathanharris888]

War of the roses was a very bloody, brutal period of English history. May all the warriors that fell, rest in eternal peace.

[@LuxisAlukard]

Great video, I really enjoyed it! I would like to see more history related and genealogy related videos in the future. Cheers!

[@simoneriksson8329]

Great video!

[@grantsolomon7660]

Great lesson about the battle with a good message about not glorifying warfare.It was and still is bloody and unglamorous( cousins killing cousins ECT).However ancient weapons are still fascinating to study and train with.

[@kieranflanagan4603]

That was cool, cheers.

[@robertsnook7443]

More please!

[@normtrooper4392]

I wish I could know about my family's genealogy like this. What a way to learn about history. Thank you for sharing the story.

[@KroM234]

It's really interesting, and pretty easy to do at least up until 17-18th century: when the registers in each communities started to be very well kept. I got to know about mine because the priest of a village were wondering why there was so many (almost only) members of the same family concentrated here since 400 years. So he made researches and ended up building our family genealogy since the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, that confirmed that my family has probably ZERO, like not an ounce, of noble blood whatsoever, since from the point where we're losing tracks (in the Middle Ages) and the point when the family was bannished from the country, there was centuries and centuries of living in the same remote valley of Switzerland, where some still live today, essentially being peasants, mercenaries (Reisläufer system) but also brigands and trouble makers... I'm almost certain that ancestors were in the valley since the Germanic invasions at the end of the Roman Empire... I'll never know for sure.

[@normtrooper4392]

@@KroM234 For very complicated reasons, it's not possible to know much about my family history but it's interesting to hear about others. Ultimately most of us probably aren't related to nobles, but that doesn't mean it makes those connections any less special. I'm sure Matt Easton would have found it as interesting had one of his ancestors been a lowly footman at the battle rather than potentially two knights

[@KroM234]

@@normtrooper4392 Actually, at least for Western Europe, where nobility was essential in every culture there, I think it's more common than having at least one distant relative in your ancestry than having none at all, simply because of the relation between the huge population increase in Europe from early Middle Ages and Modern times, and the widespread character of nobility in all its forms all across this massive time period. But then again I don't really care, it's like you said, simply fun to discover and know about your ancestors no matter the amount of prestige it can bear.

[@normtrooper4392]

@@KroM234 it's a fun exercise for sure.

[@evangelosvasiliades1204]

Absolutely interested in such videos yes.

[@gravecrawler1749]

My mother was interested in it. I'm actually a descendent of the King of the Duncan clan in Scotland. Duncan was my mothers maiden name and my grandfather still has our coat of arms hanging on his wall. I dont really know much about it other than that though.

[@jesper509]

Time too get more information before the older generation is lost

[@gravecrawler1749]

@@jesper509 to late bud. They're already gone. The only ones left are me my little sister and little brother (both adults now) and my dad whos in his 70s. He never paid attention to that stuff. Everyone else is already dead

[@johnladuke6475]

Look, the important thing is that you can kill MacBeth.

[@lunacorvus3585]

I definitely want to see more videos about family lineage.

[@frobro7]

Please do some more videos on family history! It's always interesting and I've been trying to figure out how to do it myself

[@arissarkides1380]

Schwerpunkt makes excellent tactical analyses of the Wars of the Roses: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ26imWqj7JkedE kzbin.info/www/bejne/j36TmoShr91rg9E

[@martinbonniciphotography]

Great video Matt. I think it is easy to get lost that a lot of us are doing a killing art. It's also easy to lose sight that the soil of Europe is stained with the blood of its sons and daughters. The battle you are talking about is just one example and a personal one for you. It makes one stop and think that these were real people that in a lot of cases, never made it home. Great video.

[@mikefule330]

So all those years ago, two branches of your family were at Loggerheads. (Loggerheads is a nearby small town.) Incidentally, you had 8,192 "12th great grandfathers" and 32,768 "14th great grandfathers".

[@mmhthree]

I'd love to hear your genealogy, and stories of your grandfather's... who are possibly my grandfathers, as well. I, incidently, found Lord Audley on my mother's side via grandfather's who came to the United States through Virginia. Any American's coming through those areas in the 1600's will find, at the very least, ties to the noble families of England. It's been alot of fun!!

[@Shozb0t]

I would be very curious to know exactly how the 500 deserters managed to coordinate their departure. And how did they manage to convince the opposition that they were legitimately switching sides?

[@briehart-nutter4357]

I would love more videos talking about the human connections you have around these historic conflicts. While I'm less interested in the genealogy precisely, I feel it brings such humanity and sense of grief for what otherwise might be celebrated as a "grand battle of great men"

[@hic_tus]

i imagine the farmers in the area either being upset for the quality of the water or appreciating the fertilizer

[@AlexTheHistoryGuy]

I'd love to see videos about ancestry. I have always been fascinated by the possible history of my surname - Gray.

[@patrickselden5747]

A fascinating video, Matt: thanks - and, yes, I'd be up for some family-history content. ☝️😎

[@neilburton2803]

I do think that you make an extremely poignant point which I often bring to the fore as a wargamer of this and other periods. I recently saw the field at Towton..and found my self quite overcome with sorrow as I touched the memorial ... Surely one day we will lean from history ..

[@michaelharding6264]

Yes, Matt, I'd love to see more family history videos relevant to military history.

[@macfilms9904]

This was really interesting - and as a person very interested in the War of the Roses, I had never heard of this battle! Loved the genealogy connection. I'm an American related to a Dudley who was Governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony at one point in the 17th century - but I haven't been able to figure out if that Dudley is related to the Tudor or War of the Roses Dudley family(s).

[@colbunkmust]

I also recently discovered I likely have traceable ancestry to the medieval period, specifically to Northern Italy. Even more interestingly in relation to your channel, supposedly my ancestor had a dedication in one of the treatise you often reference in your videos: Fiore de Liberi's "Fior de Battaglia".

[@robertsnook7443]

His face at the beginning is scary 😳 no eyes just shadow. What foul secrets lurk within his armour

[@baileycooper5616]

More about you family history would be really fascinating

[@ThePalacios123]

I really wanted to hear a good bloody battle, this is great!

[@animalxINSTINCT89]

I'd love to see more family/geneology type videos! I've been trying to tie down my own family history on the English side at least, so far the earliest records that were found were of tax records from Yorkshire in the early 15th century, but little beyond that tidbit.

[@AgentGB1]

Great vid! idk man, had quite a few uncles in the 2nd world war, very proud of erm, yet i don't get too sentimental when i see computer games or movies with lotsa gore, so longs there a good story to be told/or gameplay that show the true nature of war. But i do like the humanity aspect, even in games or movies, since it does allow you to place yourself in their shoes. Basically, i'm saying, i don't easily go green under the gills, as an east londoner.