The Lancastrians are hoping in early 1464…

The Lancastrians are hoping in early 1464 that the Welsh Marches and the West Country will rise in their support.

Several Lancastrian nobles, including Somerset, who had apparently been reconciled to Edward, readily lead the rebellion.

The Yorkists are hoping to reach an agreement with the Scots to remove the threat of Scottish invasion.

The English parliament is due to meet at York on the 5th of May to discuss terms with a party from Scotland, but the burst of Lancastrian activity in Northumberland and North Yorkshire has made it difficult for the Scottish party to travel safely to York.

John Neville, a brother of Warwick the Kingmaker, had fought at the Battle of Blore Heath and been captured and imprisoned by the Lancastrians.

After the Yorkist victory at Northampton he had been released, but captured again at the Second Battle of St Albans.

Following his second release from imprisonment, Neville is sent north with a small force as an escort.

Somerset tries to ambush Neville near Newcastle but the latter is able to evade this attempt and continues his journey northwards gathering troops as he goes.

When Neville reaches Hedgeley Moor he has an army of five or six thousand men.

Here he meets a Lancastrian army of five thousand men commanded by Somerset.

The Lancastrian army also includes Sir Ralph Percy, Lords Roos and Hungerford, and Sir Ralph Grey.

Percy had already changed sides several times during the war.

The whole Lancastrian force gives way when the Yorkists clash with their line.

Pushed back by weight of numbers all but a few of the remaining Lancastrians flee the field.

Sir Ralph Percy stays with his household retainers and makes a brave last stand.

However, deserted by the rest of the army, including all the other commanders, he is soon slain.

The defeat and dispersal of the Lancastrian forces makes it possible for the Scottish negotiators to be safely escorted to York, where a peaceful solution is successfully negotiated.