The Battle of Ludford Bridge was the worst disaster suffered by the Yorkists during the early years of the Wars of the Roses.

After the victory at the Battle of Blore Heath, the Yorkists marched towards Worcester. They quickly fell back to a fortified position at Ludford Bridge, after encountering a much larger Lancastrian force. On 12 October 1459, Andrew Trollope , who commanded the Calais contingent, defected to the King when offered a pardon, bringing with him, his men and much information on York's army and plans. York was outnumbered by more than three to one, unsurprisingly that evening York, his two sons, along with Warwick and Salisbury fled from the battle that could not be won, to Calais and Ireland.

Finding themselves leaderless next morning, the Yorkists disbanded leaving the Lancastrians free to plunder pro-York Ludlow.