Posted on 12/06/2010 7:45:21 PM PST by SunkenCiv
The Battle of Towton was one of the bloodiest battle to ever take place on English soil, with nearly 1% of the English population of the time killed during the battle. New finds on the site has produced the earliest evidence of the use of guns on the battle field.
The Battle of Towton took place on a snowy 29 March 1461 on high ground between the villages of Towton and Saxton in Yorkshire (about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of York and about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Tadcaster).
The battle was one of the key battles of the Wars of the Roses. This civil war was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster for control of the English throne. The result of battle was a decisive victory for the Yorkists. The Lancastrian army suffered heavy losses and was broken on the field of battle.
Towton was the largest battle ever fought in Britain with massive loss of life. It is estimated that between 50,000 and 80,000 soldiers fought in the battle, including 28 lords, which was nearly half of the nobles in England at that time, the majority of these were siding with the Lancastrian side.
One of the most commonly quoted figures for the order of battle is 42,000 for the Lancastrians and 36,000 for the Yorkists. While this is all based on various guesses by a variety of experts the one thing they all agree on is the Lancastrians started the battle with the larger force.
The battle resulted in massive loses on both sides and is regarded as the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. However what occurred at Towton on the day of the battle has been something of a mystery.
(Excerpt) Read more at archnews.co.uk ...
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I love history!
I never heard of this battle that took place exactly 500 years to the day before I was born. Proves that even a paunchy middle-aged guy can learn something new every day.
Of course I’m more proud that John Moses Browning’s Model 1911 officially entered service exactly 50 years before my birth on 3/29/1911.
Glad it was them and not me. :’)
:’) Of course, you realize that the calendar was adjusted between the time this battle was fought and 1961, so it wasn’t exactly 500 years. ;’)
Don’t mind me, I’m just causing trouble.
:’) Yeah, thanks. ;’)
Yeah, there was a little change around 1752 or so.
Stinking Lancastrians deserved what they got!
I support the Yorkists!!!
The damn Lancastrians produced the filthy Tudors.
The only Tudor worth anything was Elizabeth I
Me too. :)
In the English speaking world, it happened in October; uh, in *most* of the English speaking world. Most of the Catholic countries changed over in the 17th c I think. The worst to keep track of may be Sweden, that country kept changing to Gregorian, then chenging it back, etc. Russia stayed on the old calendar until Lenin took power.
I’m just glad everyone’s calmed down about it now. ;’)
Bloody interesting!
“The 2nd Amendment follows right behind the 1st because some people are hard of hearing.”
Put your hands in the air. I have a HandeGonne. I’m taking that tag line. Don’t try to stop me, and nobody will get hurt.
Isn’t 1461 a little late to be called strictly medieval?
Well, doncha know the Dark Ages didn’t end until Luther and te 95 Theses? Then all was sweetness and light thereafter.... :-D
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