The Wars of the Roses had been fought off and on since the 1450s, over which descendants of Edward III would have the throne. Although national issues were at stake, quite often local barons took the opportunity to settle old scores.

The feud between Thomas Talbot Lord Lisle and William Berkeley (the twelfth Lord Berkeley) started with the death in 1417 of Thomas Lord Berkeley, (Thomas the Magnificent, the tenth Lord Berkeley) the great uncle of William Berkeley. Thomas married Margaret, heiress of Lord Lisle. Their daughter married Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. They had three daughters but no sons. So the castle passed to Thomas’s younger brother James, the eleventh Lord Berkeley. His son William, the twelfth Lord, fought the battle against Viscount Lisle. The eldest of the three daughters of Richard Beauchamp married John, Lord Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and her son and grandson, the Viscounts Lisle, pushed their claim to Berkeley Castle.

In the general lawlessness during the Wars of the Roses, great families kept their own private armies with which to settle disputes and augment their power. The forces of Lord Berkeley and Lord Lisle met in battle on March 20, 1469/70 at Nibley Green in Gloucestershire.

Nibley Green battle was the last private pitched battle on English soil.

Viscount Lisle challenged William, the twelfth Lord Berkeley, to prove his prowess and knighthood with a duel. Berkeley replied that a duel would not legally settle the dispute over ownership and inheritance, but agreed to meet for a battle, and took the initiative by naming the place (Nibley Green), the date (the next day) and the time (eight or nine o'clock).

He added that he wouldn't bring along one tenth of the men available to him! Berkeley was a nasty man and it was a mistake for Lisle to let him name the day and time, as Berkeley had his brothers and their retainers staying with him, together with seven professional soldiers. He'd also dispatched a message for help to Bristol, and the men arrived overnight in Michaelwood forest. Lisle only had his tenants who wouldn't own armour nor have many weapons, and Talbot men, so Lisle had about 300 men all together. Berkeley had about 1000. Berkeley's men were concealed in the forest, an acceptable Wars of the Roses tactic. If Lisle realised his opponent's strength he wouldn't attack.

Lisle appeared on top of a ridge, and Berkeley sent out about 250 archers, to fire up at Lisle's men. Lisle thought he could win with a downhill charge, but was knocked off his horse by an arrow in the face in the first rush. Berkeley's men at arms, including John Bodie, fell on him, to kill him with daggers through the side joints of his armour. Many of Viscount Lisle's men were killed while fleeing up hill towards the church for sanctuary. The Earl of Warwick had said to kill the nobility and spare the commons, which suited Berkeley.

Viscount Lisle's wife miscarried shortly after his death, and the title passed to the Grey family, who continued the fight in the law courts.

Site Awards!
Web site created by Lynx Designs