The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

BATTLE OF BARNET

The Battle Of Barnet was fought between roughly 10,000 Yorkists under Edward of York (later Edward IV) and the same number of Lancastrians under Warwick on April 14th 1471 during the Wars of the Roses. Both armies had just marched southwards on London, the Yorkists arriving first had been admitted into the city, while the Lancastrians rested at Gladsmoor Heath. Edward marched out of London on the 13th to attack and was ready on the 14th. The battle commenced in fog, with both sides gaining initial success. Finally the Yorkists won the battle mainly due to confusion and carelessness on the part of Oxford, with one party of Lancastrians coming up on another body of Lancastrians only to be fired upon, mistaken for Yorkists. The two Lancastrian bodies continued to fight even after identifying each other as both parties believed the other to be deserters. Warwick was killed during the battle, and Edward of York became king Edward IV of England.
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