There are three registered battlefields in Northamptonshire. Although many other battles have taken place in the county, only three sites are listed.

The ‘Register of Historic Battlefields’ is managed by Historic England. The listed battlefields are nationally significant and physically recognisable today. The register aims to protect the sites through the planning system and encourage public interest and enjoyment.

You can read more about the Register on the Historic England website or learn more about planning and the historic environment in our Expert advice section.

You can also view the battlefields in Northamptonshire on our Heritage map by selecting the 'Registered Historic Battlefield' layer.

Click on the photos below to learn more about each battlefield and the battles that took place on them.

  • The Battle of Northampton, 1460

    ​The Battle of Northampton took place on 10 July 1460 and was a key battle in the Wars of the Roses. The Yorkist Army defeated the Lancastrian Army at Northampton and captured King Henry VI. The success was in part due to the treachery of Lord Grey who switched sides during the battle. It was also one of the first uses of artillery.

    The Hardingstone Eleanor Cross stands at the southwest corner of the battlefield.

    Parts of the battlefield are in a conservation area and visitors can explore the site using rights of way and permissive paths.

    Image © Northamptonshire County Council 

  • The Battle of Edgcote, 1469

    ​The Battle of Edgcote (also known as Edgecote Moor) took place on 26 July 1469 and was a key battle in the Wars of the Roses. The Lancastrian Army defeated the Yorkist Army on Danes Moor. Many Yorkist nobles were killed and the battle lead to the temporary capture of King Edward IV.

    Visitors can explore the battlefield through rights of way paths, but there is very little to see.

    Image ​ © David M. Jones, licensed under a Creative Commons licence

  • The Battle of Naseby, 1645

    ​The Battle of Naseby took place on 14 June 1645 and was the decisive battle of the First English Civil War. The Parliamentarian New Model Army inflicted heavy losses on the Royalist Army at Naseby and King Charles I was never able to replace the soldiers he lost. It was a turning point in the war and led to the success of Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians.

    The battlefield is well-preserved and visitors can explore the site. The Naseby Battlefield Trail includes information panels at the key parts of the approach, the battlefield, and the Royalist retreat. Additional audio information can be downloaded from the link below.

    Image © Baz Richardson

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