In 1470 Sir Robert Welles, son of Lord Willoughby de Eresby, was persuaded to lead a Lincolnshire rising against the king. Edward and his army travelled to Stamford to meet the rebels and the two sides met at a site just off the Great North Road, five miles north-west of the town. Edward had Welles' father in custody and beheaded him before the battle. Unnerved, Welles' army fled when the king's artillery fired, throwing off their coats to aid their retreat; the meeting was later named the Battle of Losecoat Field. Robert Welles was captured and promptly executed and the village of Pickworth was destroyed