The Walk: Taking the Mortimer trail

Just to the east is Bircher Common, visited by the Mortimer Trail and grazed by sheep and pony.

The fine views from the grassland between Lyngham Vallett and Oaker Coppice command Herefordshire, the Black Mountains and the plain around neighbouring Mortimer’s Cross.

This arena for a pivotal engagement in the Wars of The Roses, closely linked to the history of Croft, forms the spectacular setting for our Winter Posy.

Edward Mortimer, the 19-year-old Earl of March and a Prince of the Plantagenet line, cut his teeth in the battle, which was to propel him to the throne of England.

With the Mortimer family base four miles from Croft at Wigmore Castle, Edward mustered troops from along the borders to meet the threat of Jasper Tudor’s advancing army.

Several Herefordshire esquires, notably Walter Devereux of Weobley, James Baskerville of Eardisley, Thomas Monington of Sarnesfield and Henry ap Gruffydd of Vowchurch, known to chroniclers as “a man of war”, were arrayed alongside him.

Others for the White Rose were the Herefordshire peer Lord Grey of Wilton, Sir William Herbert of Raglan, John Milewater of Stoke Edith and John Lingen of Sutton.

From further afield were Lord Audley from Cheshire and Humphrey Stafford from Southwick.

Mostly from the southern Marches and Herefordshire, the force that gathered around Mortimer was likely to be a formidable one in its own backyard.

The soldiers had gained experience in France, Ireland, Wales, and the Scottish Marches, and they were well versed in meeting an advancing enemy.

Sir Richard Croft, the present incumbent at the family castle, was a prominent ally and trusted lieutenant.

It was at the advance base of Croft that Edward and his war council drew up detailed battle plans and discussed sites to take on the Lancastrians with the greatest hope of success.

The theatre they settled upon was just two miles away at Mortimer’s Cross, and it was Sir Richard who recommended positioning archers at the crossroads to halt the Red Rose advance.

In the event, the archers were to take heavy toll and the carnage which ensued was recorded in 1799 on the nondescript monument along the road in Kingsland.

“This pedestal is erected to perpetuate the Memory of an obstinate, bloody, and decisive battle fought near this Spot in the Civil Wars between the ambitious Houses of York and Lancaster, on the 2nd Day of February 1461 between the Forces of Edward Mortimer Earl of March, (afterwards Edward the Fourth) on the Side of York and those of Henry the Sixth, on the Side of Lancaster.

The King’s Troops were commanded by Jasper Earl of Pembroke, Edward commanded his own in Person and was victorious.

The Slaughter was great on both sides Four Thousand being left dead on the Field and many Welsh Persons of the first distinction were taken Prisoners among whom was Owen Tudor (Great-Grandfather to Henry the Eighth and a Descendant of the illustrious Cadwallader) who was afterwards beheaded at Hereford.

This was the decisive Battle which fixed Edward the Fourth on the Throne of England who was proclaimed King in London on the Fifth of March following”.

Sir Richard Croft lies in a magnificent tomb inside the church at Croft Castle.

Bircher Common.

A three-mile walk over gently sloping terrain. No stiles. Map: OS Explorer 203, Ludlow. Public transport: Bus nos. 489 and 491 calls at Cock Gate, adjacent to Yarpole Village Hall.

1. Bircher Common. Just east of drive to Croft Castle, park beyond cattle grid up above Cock Gate. With your back to the grid, go on foot between notice boards up the wide aggregate track, with a corrugated modern residence to your left. Keep 50m to right of notice board on tree edge which describes the walks around Croft Castle. Head up between four posts onto the wide grassy ride which climbs gently up Bircher Common. Keep up the L edge, with the gorge of Lyngham Vallet plunging L, to the point where the common levels out.

2. Whiteway Head (area).

Reach the corner marked by gorse bushes. (The path continues to the L, with a gate visible 200m also to the L, where the Mortimer Trail runs west to east).

Instead! Turn very sharp R on yourself across the neck of Bircher Common.

Head SE towards the trees of Oaker Coppice where they make a corner below.

(Now for the great views).

Skirt along the edge of the trees and follow it to L, passing the bench in memory of Lynne Burgess.

Swing down a little further east. Bircher’s cottages come into view ahead and below. Pass a tree swing and another bench at lower edge of coppice.

3. Bench bequeathed by Alison Weir. Skirt past and leave trees down green ride ahead. Head for house with white upper storey, two chimneys on L, and one on R. Carry on down wide track through bracken and gorse. Cross narrow stream to reach the house.

4. Pinewood House with six chimney pots. Check the house name, and TR along the wide aggregate track, passing The Old Chapel. Now bear R across greensward, where cars may be parked, with houses L, and head for a telephone kiosk and notice board. (The top of Welshman’s Lane). Don’t cross grid. Instead, keep ahead, along track, with dwellings up to your L, to Beechall Cottage. Swing L and R.

Pass Oak Cottage, Ashtree Cottage, behind Gorsty Bank, following wide track L and R again to pick up stone wall by stone barn conversion to start point.