The Battle of Tewkesbury

Online Catalogue | Historical Art | Battles | The Battle of Tewkesbury

Having reclaimed the throne of England and defeated the Earl of Warwick at the battle of Barnet, the Yorkist King, Edward IV, marched his forces from London to intercept those of Margaret of Anjou (wife of the Lancastrian Henry VI) and her son, Prince Edward, who had landed at Weymouth and were heading for Wales where supporters awaited them.

Denied entry to Gloucester and it's bridge over the River Severn, Margaret was forced to march her exhausted army to the next crossing point - at Tewkesbury. Here, with the Royal army hard on their heels and insufficient time to cross the river, they turned to confront their pursuers, the two armies meeting on the 4th May 1471.

Following a heavy bombardment from the King's artillery, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, led the Lancastrian right wing through the deep ditches and hedges that intersected the battlefield and attacked the Yorkist left, under the command of Edward's younger brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester. However, the other Lancastrian divisions failed to support the attack and Somerset's men were soon outflanked and routed, the rest of Margaret's army disintegrating in defeat.

Battle of Tewkesbury, Wars of the Roses - Medieval Art print by Graham Turner

The Battle of Tewkesbury - 4th May 1471 Ref: TY-38

In his detailed yet atmospheric painting, Graham Turner puts you amongst the Lancastrian forces as they desperately try to defend themselves against the advancing Yorkists, King Edward at their head, his Standards flying above him. The Standards of the Dukes of Gloucester, Clarence and Norfolk can also be seen, together with a wide range of arms and armour, illustrating the diversity of those in use at the time.

Open Edition Print published from an oil painting.
Overall print size, including border - 34"x 24" (87cm x 60cm).

Each print is supplied with a 'Who's who', identifying the major participants and banners shown in the painting.

click on image to enlarge

For close up detail images of print, CLICK HERE

Price: £38.00

Prints on Canvas This painting is also available reproduced on canvas - just like the original painting - CLICK HERE for details.

Greeting Card

Graham Turner's painting of the Battle of Tewkesbury is also available as a greeting card - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

The Hard Road to Tewkesbury - Wars of the Roses print from a painting by Graham Turner

The Hard Road to Tewkesbury Ref: Gic-G321

As Queen Margaret's Lancastrian army marched north passed Bristol, Berkeley and Gloucester, looking for a crossing point over the River Severn and into Wales, Edward IV's army tracked them across the Cotswolds before the Lancastrians were forced to turn and face them at Tewkesbury.

The author of 'The Arrivall' (Edward IV's official account of the events of 1471) wrote, 'which was right-an-hot day, xxx myle and more; whiche his people might nat finde, in all the way, horse-mete (horse feed), ne mans-meate, ne so moche as drynke for theyr horses, save in one little broke, where was full letle relefe, it was so sone trowbled with the cariages that had passed it.'

Their route would have taken them across the River Frome, a most likely candidate for the little brook the author complains was so churned up by the passage of the army that it was virtually undrinkable. At Chalford the Frome was fordable, and although the river now shares its valley with a road, canal and railway, you can still appreciate the effort the Yorkist soldiers would have required to negotiate the steep approaches to the river crossing.

Giclée Print published from a gouache painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -
22"x 17" overall size has an image size of 17.9"x 12.5" (455mm x 317mm)
17"x 12" overall size has an image size of 13.6"x 9.5" (346mm x 241mm)

Approximate overall print size

22"x 17" (56cm x 43cm) £79.00

17"x 12" (43cm x 30cm) £59.00

Yorkist horsemen strike the decisive blow at the Battle of Tewkesbury, 1471 - Print from a Wars of the Roses painting by Graham Turner

Decisive Blow Ref: Gic-G323

Early on the 4th May 1471, before the battle of Tewkesbury began, Edward IV sent a group of 200 horsemen to a nearby wood 'in caace his sayd enemyes had layed any bushement (ambush) in that wood', instructing them that 'yf they saw none suche… to employ themselfe in the best wyse as they cowlde;'

This they most certainly did, charging into the flank of the Duke of Somerset's division as it reeled from its struggle with the Yorkist army's centre - '... cam and brake on, all at ones, upon the Duke of Somerset, and his vawarde, aside-hand, unadvised, whereof they, seinge the Kynge gave them ynoughe to doo afore them, were gretly dismaid and abashed, and so toke them to flight into the parke, and into the medowe that was nere, and into lanes, and dykes, where they best hopyd to escape the dangar; of whom, netheles, many were distressed, taken and slayne;' (from The Arrivall, Edward IV's official account of the events of 1471)

In Graham Turner's dramatic painting, the Yorkist horsemen fall on the Duke of Somerset's soldiers as they are pushed back through a hedge by King Edward's main army. Trying to warn them of the danger is Somerset's 30 year-old brother, Sir John Beaufort, Marquis of Dorset, who would be killed in the battle.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -
22"x 17" overall size has an image size of 17.8"x 12.5" (454mm x 317mm)
17"x 12" overall size has an image size of 13.5"x 9.5" (345mm x 241mm)

Approximate overall print size

22"x 17" (56cm x 43cm) £79.00

17"x 12" (43cm x 30cm) £59.00

Queen Margaret of Anjou at Gloucester - Medieval Art print by Graham Turner

Not Welcome Ref: Gic-G111

Queen Margaret receives the news that Gloucester has closed its gates and will not allow her army access to the city's bridge over the river Severn, prompting their march on to the next crossing point at Tewkesbury and their fateful meeting with the pursuing Yorkists.

Giclée Print published from a gouache painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -

Print Size

22"x 17" (56cm x 43cm) £79.00

16"x 12" (40cm x 30cm) £59.00

The Battle of Tewkesbury, Wars of the Roses - Medieval Art print by Graham Turner

Tewkesbury melee Ref: Gic-G112

At the height of the battle of Tewkesbury on the 4th May 1471, the Duke of Somerset's troops engage the Yorkist flank.

Giclée Print published from a gouache painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -

Print Size

22"x 17" (56cm x 43cm) £79.00

16"x 12" (40cm x 30cm) £59.00

Sanctuary, after the Battle of Tewkesbury, Wars of the Roses - Medieval art print by Graham Turner

Sanctuary? Ref: Gic-G108

A Lancastrian Knight considers his situation having sought sanctuary in Tewkesbury Abbey after the battle of 1471.

Giclée Print published from a gouache painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

Sizes given are approximate and include a border.

click on image to enlarge

Available in three alternative sizes - select size required below -

Print Size

15"x 28" (37cm x 71cm) £99.00

13"x 24" (33cm x 61cm) £79.00

10"x 19" (25cm x 48cm) £59.00

The Consequenses of Defeat; Executions after the Battle of Tewkesbury - print from a painting by Graham Turner

The Consequences of Defeat Ref: Gic-G255

Following their defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury on 4th May 1471, a number of prominent Lancastrians were taken from their sanctuary in Tewkesbury Abbey, to be tried and executed in the town centre - all to often the fate of those who found themselves on the losing side during the increasingly bitter and vengeful Wars of the Roses.

Giclée Print published from an original painting by Graham Turner.

Each print individually printed to order on very high quality heavyweight paper, and then signed on the border by the artist.

click on image to enlarge

Available in two alternative sizes - select size required below -
17"x 21" overall size has an image size of 12.5"x 17.2" (317mm x 437mm)
12"x 16" overall size has an image size of 9.5"x 13" (241mm x 332mm)

Approximate overall print size

17"x 21" (43cm x 54cm) £79.00

12"x 16" (30cm x 41cm) £59.00

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival Poster Originals

Graham Turner has exhibited at the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival for the past sixteen years, and produces a special painting for the event poster each year. A few of these original paintings are still available for sale - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

THE WARS OF THE ROSES

THE MEDIEVAL ART OF GRAHAM TURNER

Graham Turner's eagerly anticipated book about the Wars of the Roses is due for publication in February 2024.

It includes over 120 of his paintings and drawings, many newly created, with supplementary images and a comprehensive and fascinating text that illuminates the complex, shifting course of events and the people who lived their lives through this tumultuous time.

Pre-order your signed copy now - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Studio 88 Ltd., PO Box 568, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP17 8ZX - email: info@studio88.co.uk - phone: 01296 338504

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