1461 in History

Captured by the Lancastrians at the Battle of St Albans & held at York

Northumberland, Clifford, Roos, and Dacre, central figures in Lancastrian court power, died or fled, ending the house's domination of northern England.

On receiving news of the Lancastrian defeat, Henry fled into exile in Scotland with his wife and son.

The Battle of Towton severely reduced the House of Lancaster's power in England.

They were later joined by Somerset, Roos, Exeter, and the few Lancastrian nobles who escaped from the battlefield.

Queen Margaret & Somerset march southwards from York

Heads up to the north at the head of a Yorkist force

Leads Yorkists out of Pontefract to engage Lancastrians

Queen Margaret & Somerset march southwards from York

Despatched by Edward to raise forces from the western Midlands

Redesdale is backed by Warwick & Edgcott near Bicester. Edward IVs troops are defeated by Redesdales rebels

Edward IVs troops are defeated by Redesdales rebels

The Queens border soldiers sack Huntingdon

Wins the battle, enters London & is accepted as King in Westminster Hall, 4th March

Against good advice decides not to take London & marches his Army north instead

Defeated intercepting Queen Margarets troops advancing towards London

The Queens border soldiers sack Melbourne

The Queens border soldiers sack Royston

Wins the battle, enters London & is accepted as King in Westminster Hall, 4th March

Succeeds as King of England. Declared King of England by Parliament

This record states: Edward turns his attention to consolidating his rule over the country, winning over the people and putting down the rebellions raised by the few remaining Lancastrian diehards.

This record states: He knighted several of his supporters and elevated several of his gentry supporters to the peerage; Fauconberg was made the Earl of Kent.

This record states: The Battle of Towton Moor put an end (for the time being) to disputes over the countrys state of leadership since the Act of Accord.

This record states: The English people were assured that there was now one King.

Organises a parade in St Johns Fields where the newly crowned King is acclaimed

Death of Charles VII

Death of John Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Norfolk

Alleged to have retrieved Richards lost crown from the battlefield and placed it on the head of his own stepson

Fights on the side of the Yorkists who defeat the Lancasrians

Victory improves Richards chances of succession. Richard Duke of Yorks brother Edward wins the Battle of Towton

Wins the battle, enters London & is accepted as King in Westminster Hall, 4th March. Takes up the Yorkist claim & is supported by the Earl of Warwick

Edward wins the Battle of Mortimers Cross enters London & is proclaimed Edward IV

Fights for his step brother Henry VI against the Yorkists but defeated

Fights for Henry VI against the Yorkists

Helps defeat the Yorkists

Escapes from the field of Battle & rejoins his wife & the Lancastrian forces

Defeats the Yorkists but fails to take advantage of the victory & capture London

Captured by the Lancastrians & held at York

Without their King on the battlefield, the Lancastrians relied on Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, to command their army. He was fairly experienced in matters of war and credited with the Lancastrians victory at Wakefield and St Albans

Fights for the defeated Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton Moor

Defeat at Towton forces Margaret, Edward & Henry into exile in Scotland then France

Fights for the defeated Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton Moor

Warwick proclaimed the young Yorkist leader as King Edward IV. The proclamation gained greater acceptance than Richard of York's earlier claim, as several nobles previously opposed to letting Edward's father ascend the throne viewed the Lancastrian actions as a betrayal of the legally established Accord

They were rebuilding the bridge when they were attacked and routed by a small band of Lancastrians, consisting of approximately 500 men led by Lord Clifford

Warwick's group moved to the west of the main body, through the English Midlands, gathering men as they went. On 28 March, the leading elements of the Yorkist army came upon the remains of the crossing in Ferrybridge that spanned the River Aire.

Warwick's uncle, Lord Fauconberg, led a group to clear the way to York for the main body, which was led by Edward. The Duke of Norfolk was sent east to raise forces and rejoin Edward before the battle.

He was quick to adapt to new situations; among his previous achievements were the administration of Calais, leading several piracy expeditions, and the command of the vanguard at the Battle of Northampton

The Yorkist leader Lord Fauconberg orders his archers to take advantage of the strong wind to outrange their enemies. The one-sided missile exchange, with Lancastrian arrows falling short of the Yorkist ranks, provoked the Lancastrians into abandoning their defensive positions.

Warwick placed great value on his uncle, William Nevillle, a veteran of the Anglo-French wars, esteemed by his peers in military affairs.

Fights for the defeated Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton Moor

About 28,000 are killed, the most bloody Battle on English soil

Fights for the defeated Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton Moor

Fights on the side of the Yorkists who defeat the Lancasrians

Crowned King after the Battle of Towton & founds the House of York, 1461-85

Organises a parade in St Johns Fields where the newly crowned King is acclaimed