A VISCOUNT has visited the North Yorkshire battlefield where his ancestor met a brutal death exactly 700 years earlier.

Viscount Hereford, Robin de Bohun Devereux, laid a wreath on Saturday in memory of all who died at the Battle of Boroughbridge, which was fought between men representing King Edward II and the Earl of Lancaster’s rebel army.

The viscount, who is a director of Bonhams Auctioneers, was joined by the Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Richard Compton, of Newby Hall, and the mayor of Boroughbridge, Cllr Pat Taylor, as well as children from the primary school.

On March 16, 1322, the Earl of Hereford, Humphrey de Bohun, led the rebel attack to gain control of Boroughbridge’s important wooden bridge over the River Ure.

Linda Dooks, secretary of the Boroughbridge and District Historical Society, which organised a day of events and re-enactments, said: “One historic source claims Hereford was killed by a pikeman, who pierced his armour by thrusting a spear upwards from beneath the bridge, disembowelling him.”

The battle was short, but bloody, and resulted in victory for the king’s men. Afterwards, 30 rebels were executed.

Miller Homes, which has been allowed to build houses at Milby on the edge of the battlefield, has given the Battlefields Trust £15,000 for information boards about the conflict which will be erected later this year.

Mrs Dooks said: “We hope the people of Boroughbridge and surrounding villages, particularly children, now know more about the 1322 battle and that the Battlefield Trail and information boards will attract visitors and continue to inform for many years to come.

“The 700th anniversary involved a broad cross section of the community and provided an opportunity for people to meet old friends after the long lockdown.

“We are grateful to everybody involved.”

The story of the Battle of Boroughbridge was told in last week’s Looking Back.