Edward IV had returned from exile in March 1471, after defeating Warwick the Kingmaker at Barnet in April, he found Margaret of Anjou, wife of the now deposed Henry VI and her son, also Edward, at Tewkesbury.

The battle of Tewkesbury on 4th May 1471 marked the beginning of the end of the bloody Wars of The Roses. Prince Edward was killed, his main supporter, Somerset, was captured and executed and Margaret was captured a few days later at Little Malvern Priory.