"War of the Roses: Best Commander?" Topic

Who was the best battlefield commander of the war?

Edward IV

Edward IV

Yep, Edward IV, not even close … Warwick was a politician first and foremost.

Napoleon always said lucky generals were better than good ones, and Ed-IV was about as jammy as it comes… This unbelievable luck extends to his becoming king without any legitimate claim – no wonder his brothers were bitter and the fighting restarted after his death.

This unbelievable luck extends to his becoming king without any legitimate claim

Uh… well, Henry IV usurped the throne from Richard II, so Henry V and Henry VI (and the whole House of Lancaster) had somewhat suspect claims to begin with. Edward IV was a direct male descendant of Edward III, so his claim was pretty much as legitimate at that point as anybody else's. Besides which, can you imagine that vicious brat of Margaret's on the throne? (Where do you think the inspiration for GOT's Joffrey came from?)

By that point the line of succession was a genealogical muddle anyway…

I know very little about the war but I think Ian McKellen was an excellent general.

I know very little about the war but I think Ian McKellen was an excellent general.

Who?

For a Politician I would say the Kingmaker did rather well on the battlefield. But I agree that he was no soldier or tactician like Eddy.

Who

Ian McKellen well known general and king during the WOTR

Jockey of Norfolk!

They better be good or they might lose their heads after the battle.

Edward IV, without a doubt!

Edward IV in a landslide.

I would have to say Edward IV as well.

He was able to take the field after his dad lost at Wakefield and just destroy the Lancasters.

He wasn't around long but Andrew Trollope deserves an honourable mention.

Though he did get himself kill at the Battle of Towton, which was Edward's 2nd battle.

Sir Robert Ogle

Yes, Ian M is the one to watch.

Edward IV was either lucky, astute or well-advised. Probably a bit of all three.

For sheer skill and persistence I would rate John De Vere, Earl of Oxenford (now called Oxford) for his ability to rally his men from a successful pursuit at Barnet in 1471 and then attempt to flank Edward's centre. Then we have his successful participation in Bosworth in 1485 and Stoke Field in 1487. His failure at Barnet was not his fault, it was a friendly fire from former enemies which stopped him.

While Oxenford is sometimes criticised for his actions at Stoke Field it is ground which I have well trodden and I suspect his early attack was an attempt to get the German-speaking pike off the high ground and down to where Henry's troops – arriving later – could deal with them. As such it may be less precipitate and fool-hardy and rather more a planned tactic.

I just spotted the poll and voted for Edward IV.

TMP link

He won at Northampton, Mortimer's Cross, Towton, Empingham, Barnet and Tewkesbury. He was also a shrewd survivor and knew when not to fight.

Empingham is also known as 'Losecoat Field'.

Barry

Edward IV has to be the best. But he had considerable luck in some of his battles. The Sun in splendour indeed ,it shined out of his backside!

Still a vote for Edward.

@chrisminiaturefigs:

"His garderobe was solar powered?"

Wow!

B

Edward IV