Historical documents show that in 1460 a decisive battle took place on the grounds of Northampton's Delapre Abbey, leading to Yorkist Edward lV taking the throne of England, but the actual site of the battle has never been identified. Now archaeologists hope to locate the site before the area becomes a sports field.
Experts from the Battlefields Trust and the Medieval Siege Society will be part of a full archaeological survey in 2013. "Much of what has been written in the past about the battle has been dominated by the defection to the Yorkists of Lord Grey of Ruthin, who also had extensive property within the county. However, the battle and the events leading up to it, are much more involved and far more interesting," said Mike Ingram, of the Battlefield Trust.