On 4th May 1471, Bloody Meadow, just outside Tewkesbury, was the place the Lancastrians retreated to during the Battle of Tewkesbury. They were cut off by the river and large numbers were killed in the meadow. This defining battle in the Wars of the Roses between the rival families of York and Lancaster meant the end of the reign of Henry VI. Those killed in the Battle of Tewkesbury are remembered in an annual communion service at the abbey. Despite its violent past, Bloody Meadow is now a picturesque picnic site with stunning views across the river.
