May 16th 1471: Leaving Coventry
Edward finally left Coventry. The city had been at the centre of this campaign, first being occupied by the Earl of Warwick whilst he assembled his army and now King Edward, who was doing the same. The cost to the citizens can only be imagined. A cost to the city, recorded in the Mayor’s Leet Book, was £200 paid to the king and the Lords for restitution of the liberty of the city, to be paid before Michaelmas.
Edward was anxious to get to London, not least because Queen Elizabeth was there, lodged in the Tower, and he was very well aware of the activities of the Bastard of Fauconberg and his men from daily messages sent to him. He didn’t want to leave until he had men enough to confront the threat, though. He had sent an advance force of 1500 chosen men to London on 14th to help with the defence. The Earl of Northumberland’s arrival with his retinue on 15th was the sign he was waiting for that the north was truly safe. On 16th May King Edward left Coventry for the long march to London.
The ‘Arrivall’ recounts the events:
This manner of writings moved the King greatly to haste him the therewards; but it was behovefull, or that he came there, he were furnished of as great, or greater, host than he had had at any time since his coming into the land; natheles, for that such army might not be prepared so soon as he would, the said xiiij. day of May, he appointed a notable, and a well chosen, fellowship out of his host, and them sent unto the city of London, afore his coming, to the number of xv c men, well equipped; for the comfort of the Queen, the Lords, and the citizens. And himself departed out of Coventry towards London the xvj. day of May.