Battle of Mortimer's Cross - Shorter War of the Roses

The battle of Mortimer’s Cross was fought February 2nd 1461 and resulted in the decisive defeat of Owen and Edmund Tudor’s Welsh Lancastrian Army. Despite a slight numerical edge over the Lancastrian army, The York forces were initially hard pressed and were beginning to lose ground when Owen Tudor launched a flanking action on the right flank. Despite some initial success, Owen’s forces were soon routed resulting in Edmund’s position in the center becoming assaulted from the sides. The subsequent defeat for the Lancastrians resulted in their power in Wales becoming greatly weakened and provided the Yorkist cause a much needed boost of morale following the devastating defeat at Wakefield. The victory also granted Edward, Earl of March (OTL Edward IV) with some much needed prestige and legitimacy as leader of the Yorkist Cause. Edward’s army would take on increased importance when Warwick was defeated at the 2nd Battle of St. Albans and it was these same armies that eventually marched on London and helped Edward IV secure his throne.

What would be the long term and short effects of a swift Lancastrian victory in the War of the Roses? Would the various Yorkist Lords seek to continue the struggle or would 3 successive and decisive defeats effectively neuter Yorkist Resistance. How would government operate and develop under Margaret of Anjou and Henry Beaufort? Would they seek a foreign war in Ireland or Scotland as a way to “unify” the English Lord? Would this shorter War of the Roses inevitable result in a future Dynastic Civil War?
 
Would London still close its gates at Maragaret's army? If so, with Edward being defeated, she would have no reason to fell back through Dunstable, losing many Scots and Borderers who deserted and returned home.

Would she storm London if the city kept the gates closed at her?

Perhaps, if defeated, Edward would flee to Flanders, as he did in 1470. Would he try to invade England again?
 
I still think it’s likely that London keeps its gates barred to Queen Margaret’s Army. They had earned a well-deserved reputation for pillaging and plundering during their march down England. (Talk about a horribly self-inflicted wound to her cause). The real question will be like you said Kurt, wether she decided to settle the siege – with diplomacy or violence.

As to your questions Bluetooth… I think in the short term, a number of minor Yorkist Lords will seek to bend their knees and apologize to the Queen. While I think Margaret will recognize the need for clemency I expect a number of Lords to be executed and their lands confiscated. Long Term – I think the authority of the King will be greatly weakened as the Great Lords of England (That supported the Lancaster’s) will be able to maintain their independent armies but the actually long term impacts will largely be dependent on Henry VI’s son Edward of Westminster’s reign.

Also Kurt, I do think Edward of York will flee to the continent but I don’t think it will be as effective as it was in 1470. In 1470, he was the deposed King of England in this ATL he is simply a major English lord, whose family rebelled against the King. If the War of the Roses did respark I think it will be between the Lancaster’s and Beauforts – which would be delicious irony considering how close of allies they were in OTL.

If you decided to do a TL on this, I would eagerly await it! I hope that helps.
 
It would be interesting to see if Margaret can keep under control his wish of revenge and if the Great Lords, after testing their strenght, wouldn't go to their petty quarrels and feuds with more strength than before the war (as the Percies and Nevilles -who would be finished in this TL- did).

It would be very interesting to see what would do the young Edward when he became king, indeed.
 
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