The Wars of the Roses

First Battle of St. Albans

May 22, 1455

St Albans was the opening battle in the Wars of the Roses. Richard of York led a force of about 3,000 on a march towards London. Henry VI moved from London to intercept the Yorkist army. Richard attacked and defeated Henry inflicting about 300 casualties. The Queen and her young son Edward fled into exile.
Notable deaths: Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; Thomas

de Clifford; Henry Percy, 2nd earl of
Northumberland

Battle of Blore Heath

Sep 23, 1459

After four years of uneasy peace, the Wars of the Roses flared up again at the battle of Blore Heath. Finally, Richard, Duke of York decided it was time to act before his forces lost complete momentum. He decided to attack the Lancastrian forces. During the march to the concentration point, he was intercepted by the Lancastrians under Lord Audley who had been ordered by Margaret to attack the Yorkist army. The battle was joined and the Yorkist won a major victory.
Notable deaths: Lord Audley

Battle of Ludford Bridge

Oct 12, 1459

After the winning the battle of Blore Heath, the Yorkist factions regrouped at Ludford bridge at the town of Ludlow and started to advance towards Worcester. They quickly fell back when they encountered a larger enemy force led by Henry VI. The Calais troops deserted the Yorkist army which led to a full scale retreat the next morning. Andrew Trollope switched sides after accepting the king's pardon. After the engagement Richard returned to Ireland and the earl of Salisbury fled to Calais.

Battle of Northampton

Jul 10, 1460

Warwick marched north to attack the Lancastrian army that was marching south from Coventry. The Lancastrian army stopped at the town of Northampton to build up a defensive position. During the middle of the battle, Lord Grey, a commander of the King's army switched sides to the Yorkist cause. This was the deciding action and the Yorkist swept to a victory. The king was now under Yorkist control and in November agreed that the Yorks were the rightful heirs.

Battle of Wakefield

Dec 30, 1460

Richard of York and the Earl of Salisbury marched north to meet the Lancastrian army near York. Foolishly, York ordered his forces to attack despite being extremely outnumbered. His army was slain and York, his son and Salisbury were executed and a paper crown was placed on Richard's decapitated head.
Yorks: 8,000 men
Lancastrians: 18,000 men

Battle of Mortimer's Cross

Feb 2, 1461

When Edward, Earl of March, heard of the disaster at Wakefield he decided to move east to link-up with Warwick in London. During his movement he became aware of a Lancastrian force located in central Wales. Edward decided to change direction and engage the enemy. His army of mostly Welshmen routed the Lancastrian army of mercenaries from France and Ireland and Welshmen. Within two months Edward would be crowned king.
Notable deaths: Owen Tudor (grandfather to Henry VII)

Second Battle of St. Albans

Feb 17, 1461

Richard "the Kingmaker" positioned his army at St. Albans located 20 miles northwest of London. Here he waited for Edward's army, victorious at Mortimer's Cross, to join him. Before the Yorkists could link-up, the Lancastrians attacked. Richard fled leaving his hostage, King Henry VI, under a tree.

Battle of Towton

Mar 29, 1461

The Yorkist forces attacked the Lancastrians in a driving snowstorm up a sloping hill at Towton. The Yorkist archers used the snow and wind to their advantage. The Lancastrians believed their best strategy was to charge. The Yorkist line began to show signs of strain. Fortunately the Duke of Norfolk, John Mowbray, arrived with reinforcements and the Yorkist army won. King Henry VI, the Queen, and their son fled to Scotland. Edward IV was formally crowned king at Westminster.