{"id":6022,"date":"2019-08-05T17:51:01","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T17:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/?page_id=6022"},"modified":"2026-02-17T07:57:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:57:21","slug":"battles-in-the-wars-of-the-roses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/british-history\/wars-of-the-roses\/battles-in-the-wars-of-the-roses\/","title":{"rendered":"Battles in the Wars of the Roses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Battles in the Wars of the Roses varied in size and nature. Some were as simple as bands of retainers clashing. There were occasions where one side was routed whilst offering no defence. The Wars of the Roses are best known for the larger battles though. Englands bloodiest battle ever, at Towton<\/a>, was a major turning point in the wars. Further pivotal moments centred around the Battles of Barnet<\/a>, Tewkesbury<\/a> and Bosworth<\/a>. Gunpowder was slowly making its way into warfare changing the nature of sieges and the battlefield.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Battles in the Wars of the Roses<\/h4>\n

Note: most historians consider the First Battle of St. Albans to be the start of the wars. Bosworth is often referred to as an end point as it ushered in the Tudor dynasty. However, there was one further major pitched battle, at Stoke Field, after Bosworth. Some notable skirmishes are included in this list, some of which illustrate the ways in which local disputes became intertwined with national politics.<\/p>\n

Battle of Heworth, 24 August 1453
\nBattle of Stamford Bridge, 31 October or 1 November 1454
\nFirst Battle of St. Albans, 22nd May 1455<\/a>
\nBattle of Blore Heath, 23rd September 1459<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Battle
The Battle of Blore Heath was an opening engagement of the Wars of the Roses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Battle of Ludford Bridge, 12-13 October 1459<\/a>
\nSandwich, 15 January 1460 (Raid)
\nSandwich, June 1460
\nTower of London, 2-19 July 1460<\/a>,
\nBattle of Northampton, 10th July 1460<\/a>
\nBattle of Wakefield, 30th December 1460<\/a>
\nBattle of Mortimer\u2019s Cross, 2nd February 1461<\/a>
\nSecond Battle of St. Albans, 17th February 1461<\/a>
\nBattle of Ferrybridge, 28th March 1461<\/a><\/p>\n

Battle of Towton, 29th March 1461<\/a><\/p>\n

Siege of Harlech, 1461 to 14th August 1468
\nTwt Hill, 16 October 1461
\nBattle of Piltown, Summer 1462
\nSiege of Alnwick July 1462
\nSiege of Alnwick Dec 1462 – Jan 1463
\nSiege of Bamburgh Dec 1462
\nSiege of Dunstanburgh Castle,\u00a0 December 1462
\nBattle of Hedgeley Moor, 25th April 1464<\/a>
\nSiege of Norham,\u00a0 June-July 1463
\nBattle of Hexham, 15th May 1464<\/a>
\nSiege of Dunstanburgh Castle, June 1464<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Wayside
Percy’s Cross on Hedgley Moor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Battle of Edgecote Moor, 26th July 1469<\/a>
\nSiege of Caister Castle, August 1469<\/a>
\nBattle of Losecote Field, 12th March 1470<\/a>
\nLancastrian Invasion of the Earl of Warwick and Duke of Clarence<\/a>
\nSiege of London, 12-15 May 1471<\/a>
\nThomas Neville withdraws from Blackheath, 18th May 1471<\/a><\/p>\n

Battle of Barnet, 14th April 1471<\/a><\/p>\n