Harbingers

We still use the word ‘harbinger’ in constructions like ‘This was the harbinger of war.’ Meaning that something gives a warning or prediction. In the Middle Ages, a harbinger was a man who travelled ahead of the royal (or a noble) household to warn that they were coming. Well, if you had 600-1000 assorted people…

The Banbury Barmaid and the Battle of Edgcote. . . .

According to this site, (http://www.northamptonshiresurprise.com/news/2018/the-battle-decided-by-a-banbury-bar-maid/) Edward IV lost the Battle of Edgcote in 1469 because of a Banbury barmaid. And no, amazingly, Edward was not involved in the lustful squabble. The culprits were the Earls of Pembroke and Devon. . .and a barmaid from Banbury. It seems that prior to the battle:- “Edward decided to…

Livery colours, badges, and the Battle of Barnet…

Once again, I have been rambling around the internet, seeking information about livery colours. In the process I came upon the following site, which has an abundance of interesting information about many aspects of the medieval period. http://history.stackexchange.com/questions/13103/whose-colors-coat-of-arms-did-men-of-arms-wear-in-a-feudal-army-14th-century The link deals with one area of interest, but the main site covers a lot more. One…

A useful list of Wars of the Roses livery colours….

The following list was found initially at http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17408#p242342 (written in 2009), but since then I have found it elsewhere, so I do not know exactly whose work it is. I can only say it’s not mine. (NB: I now know that the list was originally compiled by Barry Slemmings and appeared in Lance and Longbow Society’s…