History of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1863. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... through a neighbouring meadow, which has retained to this day the name of " Bloody Field." - About three thousand of the Lancastrians are stated to have fallen in this battle, which may properly be regarded as the last in the struggle between the rival 'Roses.38 A great number of prisoners were taken in the town, and the abbey was filled with fugitives, to whom, though not entitled by any charter or ancient custom of the place to the immunities of sanctuary, the victor, when, with dripping sword, he entered the church to offer his devotions, gave an assurance that their lives should be spared. But the mercy thus hastily granted was presently revoked. Among the captives were found many persons of note and noble birth. Of these the Duke of Somerset and thirteen others were brought to trial, on the following day, on a charge of treason, before the Duke of Gloucester sitting as Constable of England, and the Duke of Norfolk as Earl Marshal. They were sentenced to death and immediately beheaded. Somerset's brother, the Marquis of Dorset, and his friend the Earl of Devonshire had been slain in the fight. The young Prince of Wales had fallen alive into the hands of his enemies, but was put to death on the field. So much is admitted by a contemporary Yorkist writer, who was undoubtedly present.37 The common version of this tragical occurrence is first found in works of a later date, written after the house of York had fallen by its own internal divisions and been succeeded by a dynasty that pretended to derive its title from the house of Lancaster. According to this account, the son of Margaret of Anjou, being brought before the conqueror, was upbraided with his insolence in having invaded the realm of England. Undaunted by his perilous situation, the youth made ans...