March 23rd 1471: Doncaster
Doncaster Minster today, with knight
After a long, lonely march from Sandal Castle, Edward’s troop arrived at Doncaster, where they rested for a short while. Edward, as Duke of York, owned Conisborough Castle, an easy ride from the town, and may well have used its hospitality.
On the Great North Road, Doncaster was a thriving market town. It had had a charter since 1194 and was dominated by its Minster Church. The town was protected by earthen ramparts and ditches. Edward was familiar with Doncaster. A year and a few days earlier the market place had been the scene of the execution of Sir Robert Welles and Sir Ralph Grey. They had been leaders of the Lincolnshire Rebellion, probably instigated by the Earl of Warwick as part of his campaign to overthrow Edward. When Welles was captured, after the Battle of Loosecoat Field, he was found to have documents incriminating Warwick and Clarence. This led to their fleeing to France, and Margaret. Six months later Edward was again in Doncaster when he received the news of Warwick’s invasion, and where he decided to flee himself.
On this visit Edward was joined by William Dudley of Clopton with 160 men. This was the first real group to answer his call, and a sign, maybe, that fortunes were changing.
In the morning, the Yorkists moved on, along the road to Nottingham.