Battle of Barnet may be mile north of accepted site (From Times Series)

Battle of Barnet may be mile north of accepted site

3:38pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

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THE BATTLE of Barnet may be one mile to the north of the accepted site, according to an archaeological group.

The Battlefields Trust is launching an appeal to raise money for an archaeological survey to be undertaken near Kitts End, where they think the battle really took place.

The battle on April 14, 1471 has foxed archaeologists until now because no evidence of it has ever been found.

A similar issue had effected the site of the Battle of Bosworth, which took place on August 22 1485 in Leicestershire.

However, the Battlefields Trust, which is based in St Albans, made headlines earlier this year when members found evidence of the real site of the Battle of Bosworth, two miles away from where people had thought it was.

Archaeologists were amazed when more artillery shot was found on this site than at all the battlefields in Europe in 15th and 16th centuries put together.

Now they think Barnet could be the earliest battle to use artillery on a large scale, making it even more historically significant.

Chairman of the Battlefields Trust, Frank Baldwin, said: “The story of Bosworth is probably also true of the story of Barnet.

“The reason we couldn't find any evidence is because it wasn't there.”

He said the confusion may have come because people who listed the current site, were not clear of the size of Barnet at the time.

But recent research by Potters Bar historian, Brian Warren, determined that in the 15th century Barnet's boundaries reached further than previously thought.

Field archaeologist and battlefield specialist, Dr Glenn Foard from the University of Leeds, said: "The registered battlefield in Hadley Green is completely wrong, there is no doubt about that. "Brian Warren demonstrated quite clearly where the chapel to the dead was constructed after the battle.”

Dr Foard said the chapel, or chantry, alongside lead shot found by a resident nearby gave the group a good idea of where they think the real site is.

Both battles were important dates in the Wars of the Roses, an epic fight between royal contenders from the House of Lancaster and the House of York, which determined who is on the throne today.

The group is keen for residents to get involved and to report any finds from the area which may have come from the battle, even if previously they had been thought to come from the English Civil War.

The Battlefields Trust is also holding a historical walk around the area on April 12 to raise money.

Do you think you have a Battle of Barnet find? Contact reporter Sarah Cosgrove on 07795 505 961 or email scosgrove@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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