Battle of Towton
Near Towton, Yorkshire, England
What happened
The young King Edward IV of the House of York, with Lord Fauconberg and the Duke of Norfolk, fought the Lancastrian army of King Henry VI, led by Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. During the Wars of the Roses, the houses of York and Lancaster were fighting over the English throne. On Palm Sunday 1461, the two armies met near Towton in Yorkshire and fought for about ten hours in a snowstorm. The wind helped the Yorkist arrows fly farther, and when the Duke of Norfolk's fresh troops arrived and struck the Lancastrian side, the Lancastrians broke and fled.
Why it matters
Result: Yorkist victory. Leaders: Edward IV / Earl of Warwick against Duke of Somerset / Duke of Exeter. Why it matters: The victory secured the throne for Edward IV. It is described as probably the largest and bloodiest battle on English soil.
What came next
Edward IV was crowned on 28 June 1461. He was king until 1470, and again from 1471 until his death in 1483.
Did you know?
Edward IV was about 18 at Towton and stood 6 feet 4 inches tall, very tall for his time.
Timeline
- 29 March 1461 CEEdward IV defeats the Lancastrians at Towton.
- 28 June 1461 CEEdward IV is crowned king.
- 4 May 1471 CEEdward defeats the Lancastrians again at Tewkesbury.
- 9 April 1483 CEEdward IV dies.