Sir Humphrey Stafford had been created BARON OF SUTHWYKE, first by Writ of Summons dated 21 July, 1461, afterward confirmed by patent dated 24 April, 1464, and, as we have observed, he was further advanced to the dignity of EARL OF DEVON, 7 May, 1469.
Very soon after this honour was conferred on him, Edward despatched the Earl with eight hundred archers, to aid the Earl of Pembroke and his brother Sir Richard Herbert then in command of about seven thousand Welchmen, marching to give Sir John Coniers and the Lancastrians battle. The sequel cannot be better related than in the words of Cleaveland:--
"With these forces the Earl of Pembroke resolved to hinder the rebels in their journey, and having notice that they took their way by _Northampton_, he led the whole body of his army against them, having given orders to Sir _Richard Herbert_ with two thousand soldiers, to wheel about and charge the enemy in the rear. Sir _John Coniers_ had so carefully strengthened the rearward, that the _Welch_ were repulsed with loss, whereupon Sir _Richard Herbert_ retired to his brother, and Sir _John Coniers_ diverted from his direct course to _London_, marched towards _Warwick_, where the Duke of _Clarence_, and the Earl of _Warwick_, had levied a mighty host. The Earl of _Pembroke_ followed him closely, expecting an opportunity of cutting off some part of the enemy, as they marched disorderly, or to give battle to the whole army: but while he was in this pursuit of glory, a small difference between him and the Lord _Stafford_, ruined the whole attempt; for he encamping at _Banbury_, a question arose concerning an Inn, to which _Stafford_ pretended, as having long used the house; but the Earl of _Pembroke_, in regard of his preheminence as General, was resolved to lodge in it. This so trivial distaste, (if there was no farther treason in it) grew so high, that _Stafford_ withdrew himself and his _English_ archers. The rebels, who soon had notice of this unhappy discord, gave the Earl's camp the next morning a sudden assault: the _Welch_ received the charge so stoutly, that they took Sir _Henry Neville_, the leader; but, guilty of too much barbarity, most cruelly slew him in cold blood, by which act they raised so fierce a desire of revenge in the enemy, that the next day they gave the Earl battle, and the fight was longe and cruel, but at last the _Welchmen_ fled; in the battle five thousand of the _Welch_ were slain, and, among the few prisoners the Earl of _Pembroke_, and Sir _Richard Herbert_ were taken, whose heads were soon after sacrificed to the ghost of _Neville_."