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Battle of Mortimers Cross

The Monument, Battle of Mortimer’s Cross war memorial compromises a square limestone pedestal on moulded plinth with moulded cornice and shallow hipped top and incised on the main elevation. The memorial is located in the village of Kingsland and commemorates the 1461 Battle of Mortimer’s Cross during the War of the Roses. The memorial was built by public subscription in 1799 and is Grade II listed.

In 2021 a grant of £1,940 was paid through the War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme towards conservation and repair works to the memorial. Layers of failed and flaking paint and lime wash were removed from the surface of the stone, lime mortar repairs were carried out, construction joints were re-pointed, a new lime-wash was applied, and the incised lettering was re-painted to improve the legibility of the inscription.

The inscription reads:
"This pedestal is erected to perpetuate the Memory/ of an obstinate, bloody, and decisive battle fought near/ this Spot in the Civil Wars between the ambitious Houses/ of York and Lancaster, on the 2nd Day of February 1461/ between the Forces of Edward Mortimer Earl of/ March, (afterwards Edward the Fourth) on the Side of/ York and those of Henry the Sixth, on the Side of/ Lancaster./ The King's Troops were commanded by Jasper Earl/ of Pembroke, Edward commanded his own in Person and/ was victorious. The Slaughter was great on both sides/ Four Thousand being left dead on the Field and many/ Welsh Persons of the first distinction were taken Prisoners/ among whom was Owen Tudor (Great-Grandfather to/ Henry the Eighth and a Descendant of the illustrious/ Cadwallader) who was afterwards beheaded at Hereford./ This was the decisive Battle which fixed Edward the/ Fourth on the Throne of England who was proclaimed King in London on the Fifth of March following". Inscribed on plinth: "Erected by Subscription/ in the Year 1799"

Further information

War Memorials Trust reference WM11630
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: 33061

War Memorials Online: WMO/265255

If you have a concern about this memorial please contact the Trust on conservation@warmemorials.org

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