Battle of Towton
The Battle of Towton, fought on March 29, 1461, was a pivotal conflict in the Wars of the Roses, occurring in northern England during a harsh snowstorm. Edward IV led an army of approximately 16,000 Yorkist troops against a Lancastrian force of around 18,000, commanded by Henry Beaufort, the third duke of Somerset. The battle took place in a location known as "Bloody Meadow," where both armies were positioned near rivers, limiting their ability to retreat. Initially, Lancastrian archers struggled as their arrows fell short, while Yorkist archers effectively returned fire, inflicting significant casualties.
The combat lasted roughly two hours and was characterized by fierce fighting, with Edward IV personally urging his troops into battle. As evening approached, a decisive cavalry charge from the Yorkists broke the Lancastrian lines, leading to a chaotic pursuit where many enemies were trapped and killed against the river. The defeat was catastrophic for the Lancastrians, resulting in the flight of King Henry VI and Queen Margaret, and solidifying Edward IV's claim to the throne. The Battle of Towton is noted as the bloodiest battle in English history, with estimates of casualties ranging widely, underscoring its significance in shaping the political landscape of the time.
On this Page
Battle of Towton
Type of action: Ground battle in the Wars of the Roses
Date: March 29, 1461
Location: Plain about ten miles south of York in northern England
Combatants: 18,000 Lancastrians vs. 16,000 Yorkists
Principal commanders:Lancastrian, Henry Beaufort, third duke of Somerset (1436–1464); Yorkist, King Edward IV (1442–1483)
Result: Decisive defeat of Lancastrian forces
In late March, 1461, after being acclaimed king, Edward IV, with an army of 16,000 troops, brought to battle a Lancastrian force of 18,000, led by Henry Beaufort, third duke of Somerset, in northern England. On Sunday, March 29, during a driving snowstorm, the two armies faced each other across what would become known as “Bloody Meadow.” With rivers behind both armies, neither had much room for retreat.
In the early afternoon, Lancastrian archers launched their arrows into the wind, which caused them to fall short. The advancing Yorkists fired these arrows back at their opponents, causing great casualties as the battle lines met. For two hours, the armies were locked in combat, with Edward IV in the front lines urging his troops forward. Toward evening, the Lancastrian lines were broken by a Yorkist cavalry charge that turned into a bloody pursuit of the fleeing enemy. Caught against a river, thousands of the Lancastrians were killed. Henry VI, the Lancastrian king, and his wife, Queen Margaret, fled the field as their army died behind them.
Significance
The Battle of Towton was the bloodiest battle fought in England; contemporary accounts suggest between 9,000 and 28,000 were killed, though these are probably exaggerations. The shattering defeat of the Lancastrian army reinforced the claim of Edward IV as legitimate king of England.
Bibliography
Lander, J. R. The Wars of the Roses. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1990.
Ross, Charles. The Wars of the Roses. London: Thames and Hudson, 1976.
Steward, Desmond. The Wars of the Roses. New York: Viking, 1995.
Weir, Alison. The Wars of the Roses. New York: Ballantine Books, 1995.