England
Treachery All Around
Margaret and Henry again took refuge in Scotland, which was ever ready to receive anyone who promised Scottish freedom. Margaret returned to France in July 1463, but fared even worse this time. The French made peace with Edward in October, and the Scots did the same in December. King Henry was in Bamburgh Castle with hardly more than a band of men, able to do no more than cause some mischief with raiding.
Edward tried to win the Percies over by giving them command of castles even in Northumbria, the Lancastrian stronghold. Sir Ralph Percy was given two castles, but he turned coat immediately and handed the castles over to Henry. Worried about matters in the North, Edward went into Yorkshire in the summer of 1463. He knew that there was widespread sympathy for Henry and belief in his legitimacy as king. Ironically, Edward was in much the same position as the original Lancastrian king, Henry IV: king by right of victory over a rival who had a better claim but a weaker army. The tables could turn at the first sign of weakness.
Somerset went with the king, already plotting to betray him. Between himself and Henry, plans were made for a general uprising in Cheshire and Wales, to be combined with attacks from the North. The western rebellion happened, but the French troops that were to land never appeared. Edward easily quelled the rebels in the west, then went after the Lancastrian strongholds. Lord Montagu defeated the Lancastrians in the only pitched battle, at Hexham, and Somerset was captured. Furious at the betrayal, Edward had Somerset beheaded.
Henry was still at Bamburgh, but he managed to get out before the castle fell. He now wandered the North country, hiding from his enemies, sometimes having to hide in cottages. Most of the great lords who had supported him were dead. His wife was in France. But no one betrayed him to Edward.