Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

07 May, 2026

The Battle of Tewkesbury (1471). The Wars Of The Roses. “The Bloody Meadow”. Tewkesbury Abbey.



Tewkesbury Abbey.
Photo: 20 July 2006.
Source: Own work.
Author: Velela
(Wikimedia Commons)



“Sanctuary”. King Edward IV and Lancastrian fugitives at Tewkesbury Abbey. Artist: Richard Burchett (1815 – 1875) [1]
King Edward IV and his Yorkist Troops are beseeched by a Priest to stop the pursuit of their Lancastrian foes, who have sought Sanctuary within Tewkesbury Abbey.
Date: 1867.
Collection: Guildhall Art Gallery, London.
(Wikimedia Commons)

This Article was promulgated by Zephyrinus 
reading a riveting Post on the excellent Blog 
which Zephyrinus urges all Readers to go to
and have a look at. You won't be disappointed.


“The Two Armies Engage”.
Artist: Graham Turner.
Image: studio88


Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

The Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place on 4 May 1471, was one of the decisive battles of The Wars of The Roses in England.

The forces loyal to The House of Lancaster were completely defeated by those of the rival House of York under their Monarch, King Edward IV.

The Lancastrian Heir to The Throne, Edward, Prince of Wales, and many prominent Lancastrian Nobles, were killed during The Battle, or executed.

The Lancastrian King, Henry VI of England, who was a prisoner in The Tower of London, died, or was murdered, shortly after The Battle.

The Battle of Tewkesbury restored Political stability to England until the death of King Edward IV in 1483.


Belligerents.
(☩ indicates either Killed-in-Battle
or Executed afterwards).

The House of York.


The White Rose of York.
Date: 18 January 2011.
Source: Own work.
File is Licensed
under the Creative Commons Attribution-
Share Alike 3.0 Unported2.5 Generic
2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic Licence.
Author: Sodacan
(Wikimedia Commons)


The House of Lancaster.


The Red Rose of Lancaster.
Date: 18 January 2011.
Source: Own work.
File is Licensed
under the Creative Commons Attribution-
Share Alike 3.0 Unported2.5 Generic
2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic Licence.
Author: Sodacan
(Wikimedia Commons)


The Wars of The Roses.
Available on YouTube


Commanders and Leaders.

The House of York:

Kind Edward IV.


Coat-of-Arms of Edward, 4th Duke of York,
before he became King Edward IV.
Illustration: PINTEREST

Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470,[1] then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in The Wars of The Rosesa series of Civil Wars in England fought between the Yorkist and Lancastrian 
factions between 1455 and 1487.

Duke of Gloucester.


English:
Coat-of-Arms of Richard, Duke of Gloucester,
later King Richard III of England.
Magyar: Richárd, gloucesteri herceg 
(a későbbi III. Richárd) címere.
Date: 12 November 2011.
File is Licensed under the
3.0 Unported Licence.
Author: Melinda Rácz
(Wikimedia Commons)

Baron Hastings.


English: Coat-of-Arms of Baron Hastings.
Blazon:
English: Argent, a maunche Sable.
Français : D'argent, à la manche de sable.
Source: Own work.
File is Licensed under the
Artist: Jimmy44
(Wikimedia Commons)


Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, is brought to King Edward IV for questioning in the aftermath of The Battle of Tewkesbury. King Edward IV's brothers, Richard (on the King's Right) and George (on the King's Left),
along with Baron Hastings, stand near the King.
Date: 1864.
Source: Doyle, James William Edmund (1864) "Edward IV" in A Chronicle of England: B.C. 55 – A.D. 1485London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts & Green, pp. p. 424 Retrieved on 12 November 2010.
Author: James William Edmund Doyle (1822–1892).
Engraver: Edmund Evans (1826–1905).
(Wikimedia Commons)


The House of Lancaster.

Duke of Somerset .


Coat-of-Arms of The Duke of Somerset.
Date: 4 August 2013.
Source: Own work.
File is Licensed under the
3.0 Unported Licence.
Author: Sodacan
(Wikimedia Commons)

Either to escape the Cannonade and Volleys of Archery 
from King Edward IV's Army, or because he saw an opportunity to outflank King Edward's, The Duke of Somerset led at least part of his men via some of the "evil lanes" to attack King Edward's Left Flank.

Although taken by surprise, King Edward's men resisted stoutly, beating back The Duke of Somerset's attack among the hedges and banks. At the vital moment, the 200 Spear Men that King Edward had earlier posted in the woods, far out on The Left of The Battlefield, attacked The Duke of Somerset's forces from his own Right Flank and The Rear, as The Duke of Gloucester's forces also joined in the fighting.

Somerset’s forces were routed, and his surviving Troops tried to escape across The River Severn. Most were cut down as they fled. The Long Meadow, leading down to The River, 
is known to this day as “Bloody Meadow”. [23]


The Duke of Somerset galloped up to Baron Wenlock, commanding the Lancastrian Centre, and demanded to know why Wenlock had failed to support him. According to legend (recounted in Edward Hall’s Chronicle, written several years afterwards, though from first-hand accounts), he did not wait for an answer, but dashed out Wenlock’s brains with a Battle-Axe[24], before seeking Sanctuary in Tewkesbury Abbey.

Duke of Somerset, from the County of Somerset, is a Title that has been created five times in The Peerage of England. It is particularly associated with two families: The Beauforts, who held the Title from its creation in 1448, and The Seymours, from its creation in 1547, in whose name the Title is still held.

The present Dukedom is unique, in that the first holder 
of the Title created it for himself in his capacity of 
Lord Protector of The Kingdom of England, using a power granted in the Will of his nephew King Edward VI.


The only Subsidiary Title of The Duke of Somerset is Baron Seymour, which is used as a Courtesy Title by the eldest son and heir of the Duke. This Courtesy Title [Editor: Baron] is the lowest in Rank of all heirs to Dukedoms in The Peerages
 of The British Isles, yet the holder's Precedence is higher than his Title suggests, by virtue of the Seniority of the Dukedom of Somerset (the only more Senior Non-Royal Duke is 

[Editor: The Duke of Norfolk is the Premier Duke 
the Premier Earl. The Duke of Norfolk is, moreover, 
The Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England. The Seat of The Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle, in Sussex, although the Title refers to the County of Norfolk. The current Duke (in 2021) is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. The Dukes have, historically, been Catholic, a state of affairs known as Recusancy in England. All past and present Dukes of Norfolk have been descended from 


Earl of Devon .


Coat-of-Arms of The Earl of Devon.
Date: 3 May 2017.
Source: Own work.
File is Licensed under the
(Wikimedia Commons)

The Title of Earl of Devon was created several times in The English peerage, and was possessed first (after The Norman Conquest of 1066) by The “de Redvers” Family (alias “de Reviers”, “Revieres”, etc.), and, later, by The Courtenays.

It is not to be confused with the Title of Earl of Devonshire, held, together with the Title Duke of Devonshire, by The Cavendish Family of Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, although The Letters Patent for the creation of the latter Peerage used the same Latin words “Comes Devon(iæ)”.[1] It was 
a re-invention, if not an actual continuation, of 
the Pre-Conquest Office of Ealdorman of Devon.[2]


Baron Wenlock .


Coat-of-Arms of The 1st Baron Wenlock.
Date: 21 September 2020.
Source: Own work.
File is Licensed under the
Artist: Thom.lanaud
(Wikipedia)

At The Battle of Tewkesbury on 4 May 1471,
he commanded the middle of the Lancastrian Line. However, the Lancastrians suffered a crushing defeat, and Wenlock died on the Battlefield. He was allegedly killed by his own Commander, The Duke of Somerset, who blamed Wenlock’s indecisiveness for the defeat.[6]

The Duke of Somerset had led the Right Flank of the Lancastrian Line forward, and expected Wenlock to support him, but Wenlock held back (some suggest deliberately) and the Duke's men were slaughtered. After the Duke's Flank retreated, he either summoned Wenlock or rode to him, and supposedly killed him with a single blow to the head. [7] Some sources suggest that Wenlock was committed to the cause, but that Somerset had bungled the planned manoeuvre, coming out of the woods too early, and emerging in front of the enemy, instead of behind, thereby preventing Wenlock's men from shooting at them. [3]


John Wenlock, 1st Baron Wenlock KG (1400 – 4 May 1471) was an English PoliticianDiplomatSoldier, and Courtier. He fought on the sides of both The Yorkists and The Lancastrians in The Wars of The Roses.[1] He has been called "the Prince of Turncoats", [2] although some historians suggest the label may not be fair.[3] Others contend that, even when Wenlock was not actually changing sides, he was engaged in "fence sitting par excellence." [2]

Although Wenlock is often remembered for his military exploits (he fought in six of the major Battles of The Wars of The Roses, as well as the Sieges of The Tower of London and Dunstanburgh Castle), most of his Public Service was in the Diplomatic Field, and contemporary accounts record him as being regarded as "very clever". [2]


Strength.

The House of York:
5,000 - 6,000.

The House of Lancaster:
6,000.


Casualties and Losses:

The House of York:
Unknown.

The House of Lancaster:
2,000.

Prince Edward of Westminster  .


Coat-of-Arms of Prince Edward of Westminster.
Illustration: TUDOR BLOGGER

Edward of Westminster (13 October 1453 – 4 May 1471), also known as Edward of Lancaster, was the only son of King Henry VI of England and Margaret of Anjou. He was killed aged seventeen at The Battle of Tewkesbury, making him the only Heir Apparent to The English Throne to die in Battle.

The following Paragraph is from TUDOR BLOGGER

Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, was 
the Lancastrian Heir to the Throne. He was the only 
child of the Lancastrian King, Henry VI, and his wife, Margaret of Anjou. His father was overthrown in 1461 and Edward went into exile in Scotland and then France with his mother. He was the last Heir Apparent to die in Battle,
when he was killed at The Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, allegedly by the future King Richard III.

“GOD SAVE THE KING”. King Charles III’s Coronation 6 May 2023.



Illustrations: BBC NEWS


A reprint from 2023.

Our Lady’s Words: “I Am The Immaculate Conception”. Sermon By: Fr. Timothy Finigan. Plus, Venues For “A Day With Mary” For 2026.



Our Lady’s Words:
“I Am The Immaculate Conception”.
Sermon By: Fr. Timothy Finigan.
“A Day With Mary”.
15 February 2014.
Available on YouTube

The Web-Site of
“A Day With Mary” can be found




Saint Stanislaus. Bishop And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 7 May. Red Vestments.


Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Stanislaus.
   Bishop And Martyr.
   Feast Day 7 May.

Double.

Red Vestments.


Saint Stanislaus.
Artist: Stanisław Samostrzelnik (1490–1541).
Date: 1530-1535.
Source/Photographer: Polona.pl
(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Stanislaus, born in Poland, was made Bishop of Cracow in 1072. He became an object of hatred to King Boleslas II, whom he reproached for his tyranny and dissolute life.

One day, while the Saint was saying Mass, the King rushed at him and slew him (Collect). This was in 1079.

Saint Stanislaus is the Patron Saint of Poland.

Mass: Protexisti.



The State Flag and Civil Ensign of Poland.
Saint Stanislaus is The Patron Saint of Poland.
Illustration: WORLD FLAG DATABASE

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Stanislaus of Szczepanów (26 July 1030 – 11 April 1079), was a Bishop of Kraków known chiefly for having been Martyred by the Polish King, Bolesław II (The Bold).

Stanislaus is Venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as Saint Stanislaus the Martyr (as distinct from the 16th-Century Jesuit, Stanislaus Kostka).



According to Tradition, Stanisław was born at Szczepanów, a village in Lesser Poland, the only son of the noble and pious Wielisław and Bogna.

He was educated at a Cathedral School in Gniezno (then the Capital of Poland) and later, according to different sources, in Paris or Liège. On his return to Poland, Stanisław was ordained a Priest by Lambert II Suła, Bishop of Kraków

He was subsequently made Pastor of Czembocz, near Cracow, Canon and Preacher at the Cathedral, and, later, Vicar-General.

After the Bishop’s death (1072), Stanisław was Elected his successor, but accepted the Office only at the explicit command of Pope Alexander II. Stanisław was one of the earliest native Polish Bishops. He also became a Ducal Advisor and had some influence on Polish politics.

Stanisław’s accomplishments included bringing Papal Legates to Poland, and the re-establishment of a Metropolitan See in Gniezno. The latter was a precondition for Duke Bolesław’s Coronation as King, which took place in 1076. Stanisław then encouraged King Bolesław to establish Benedictine Monasteries to aid in the Christianisation of Poland.

06 May, 2026

Perkins (Chauffeur) Being Difficult, Again.



“Now, Perkins”. 
“We really need to have a good talk”.

1918 Ahrens Fox, 
Model M, 
Fire Truck.
Illustration: HYMAN LTD.


Perkins (Chauffeur) seems to be intent on
getting a faster motor car. He has previously been told
there is nothing wrong with the current Charabanc
(see, below, taking Zephyrinus to Sunday Mass).



Perkins (Chauffeur) taking Zephyrinus
to Sunday Mass in the current Charabanc.
Illustration: PINTEREST

Exeter Cathedral (Cathedral Church Of Saint Peter). The Longest Uninterrupted Mediæval Vaulted Ceiling In The World. (Part One).



Exeter Cathedral (Cathedral Church Of Saint Peter),
with the Vaulted Ceiling - the longest uninterrupted
Mediæval Vaulted Ceiling in the World.
Photo: 20 February 2016.
Source: Own work.
Author: Edward Swift
(Wikimedia Commons)


Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

Exeter Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is an Anglican Cathedral [Editor: Previously Catholic], and the Seat of The Bishop of Exeter, in the City of Exeter, Devon, in South-West England.

The present building was complete by about 1400, and has several notable features, including an early set of Misericords, an Astronomical Clock and the longest uninterrupted Mediæval Stone Vaulted Ceiling in the World.

The Founding of the Cathedral at Exeter, Dedicated to Saint Peter, dates from 1050, when the Seat of the Bishop of Devon and Cornwall was transferred from Crediton because of a fear of sea-raids.



Exeter Cathedral.
Photo: 26 August 2006.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)


The story of Exeter Cathedral.
Available on YouTube

A Saxon Minster, already existing within the Town, (and Dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Peter) was used by Leofric as his Seat, but Services were often held out-of-doors, close to the site of the present Cathedral building.

In 1107, William Warelwast was appointed to the See, and this was the catalyst for the building of a new Cathedral in the Norman Style. Its official Foundation was in 1133, during Warelwast’s time, but it took many more years to complete.[3]

Following the appointment of Walter Bronescombe as Bishop in 1258, the building was already recognised as outmoded, and it was rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic Style, following the example of Salisbury. However, much of the Norman building was kept, including the two massive square Towers and part of the Walls.

PART TWO FOLLOWS.

Saint John Before The Latin Gate.



Saint John Before The Latin Gate.
San Giovanni a Porta Latina.
Photo: 9 August 2024.
Source: Own work.
This File is licensed under the 
Author: Ardeatino
(Wikimedia Commons)


Text from “The Liturgical Year”.
   By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
   Volume 8.
   Paschal Time.
   Book II.

The beloved Disciple, John, comes before us again, today. This time, he pays his delighted homage to the glorious Conqueror of Death and Hell.

Like Saint Philip and Saint James the Less, he is clad in the Scarlet Robe of Martyrdom.

The month of May, so rich in Saints, was to be graced with the Palm of Saint John.

Salome, one day, presented her two sons to Jesus, and, with a mother’s ambition, asked Him to grant them the highest places in His Kingdom.



The Saviour, in His reply, spoke of the Chalice which He, Himself, had to drink, and foretold that these two Disciples would also drink of it.

The elder, James the Great, was the first Martyr to give his Master this proof of his love; we shall celebrate his victory when the Sun is in Leo: It was today that John, the younger brother, offered his life in testimony of Jesus’s Divinity.

But the Martyrdom of such an Apostle called for a scene worthy of the event. Asia Minor, which his zeal had evangelised, was not a sufficiently glorious land for such a combat.

Rome, whither Peter had transferred  his Chair and where he died on his Cross, and where Paul had bowed down his venerable head beneath the sword, Rome, alone, deserved the honour of seeing the Beloved Disciple march on to Martyrdom, with that dignity and sweetness which are the characteristics of this veteran of the Apostolic College.


Domitian was then the Roman Emperor — a tyrant over Rome and the World. Whether it were that John undertook this journey of his own free choice, and from a wish to visit the Mother Church, or that he was led thither bound with chains, in obedience to an Imperial edict — John, the august Founder of the seven Churches of Asia Minor, appeared before the tribunal of pagan Rome.

He was convicted of having propagated, in a vast Province of the Empire, the worship of a Jew Who had been Crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He was a superstitious and rebellious old man, and it was time to rid Asia of his presence. He was, therefore, sentenced to an ignominious and cruel death.

He had somehow escaped Nero’s power: But he should not elude the vengeance of Cæsar Dimitian !!!



A huge cauldron of boiling oil is prepared in front of the Latin Gate. The sentence orders that the Preacher of Christ be plunged into this bath.

The hour is come for the second son of Salome to partake of his Master’s Chalice.

John’s heart leaps with joy at the thought that he — the most dear to Jesus, and yet the only Apostle that has not suffered death for Him — is at last permitted to give Him this earnest offering of his love.

After cruelly scourging him, the executioners seize the old man, and throw him into the cauldron; but, Lo !!! The boiling liquid has lost all its heat; the Apostle feels no scalding; on the contrary, when they take him out again, he feels all the vigour of his youthful years restored to him.


The Prætor’s cruelty is foiled, and John, a Martyr in desire, is to be left to The Church for some few years longer. [Editor: “Prætor” was a Roman Magistrate.]

An Imperial Decree banishes him to the rugged Isle of Patmos, where God reveals to him the future of The Church, even to the end of time.

The Church of Rome, which counts among her most glorious memories the abode and Martyrdom of Saint John, has marked his noble testimony to the Christian Faith.

This Basilica stands near the Latin Gate, and gives a Title to one of the Cardinals.



The following Text is form Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

San Giovanni a Porta Latina (“Saint John Before the Latin Gate”) is a Basilica Church in Rome, Italy, near the Porta Latina (on the Via Latina) of the Aurelian Wall.

According to Tertullian, as quoted by Saint Jerome, in 92 A.D., Saint John the Evangelist survived Martyrdom at Rome, under the Emperor Domitian, by being immersed in a vat of boiling oil, from which he emerged unharmed. He was later exiled to the island of Patmos.

This event was traditionally said to have occurred at the Latin Gate (located on the Southern portion of the Roman Wall).


The nearby Chapel of San Giovanni in Oleo is said to be on the very spot where Saint John suffered.

The event was referred to in the Roman Martyrology, which was begun in the 7th-Century A.D., though the event was celebrated before then.

A Feast in the Roman Calendar also celebrated the event until 1960, when Pope Saint John XXIII removed most of the secondary Feasts for a Saint.[1]

The Black-Letter Day of “S. John Evang. ante portam Latinam” is still marked in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer on 6 May 6.

The Feast is likewise Celebrated by the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.[2]
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