First Battle of St Albans
Map for the First Battle of St Albans
Assembly of re-enactors for the First Battle of St Albans
Procession of re-enactors for the First Battle of St Albans
From File:Map for First Battle of St Alban's by Ramsay.jpg (File:Map for First Battle of St Alban's by Ramsay.jpg, uploaded by User:Jappalang. I have rotated the image 90° clockwise and coloured the two sides armies for easier identification.
Historical Overview
The First Battle of St Albans took place on 22 May 1455, at St Albans, 22 miles (35 km) north of London, and traditionally marks the beginning of the Wars of the Roses in England. Richard, Duke of York, and his allies, the Neville Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, defeated a royal army commanded by Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. Unusually, the battle was contested in the town of St Albans itself, with the bulk of the fighting taking place in the streets. Somerset was killed in the battle, and King Henry VI captured, clearing the way for a subsequent parliament to appoint Richard of York Lord Protector.
Quick Facts
House of York
- Commander: Richard Plantagenet
- Strength: ca. 3.000
- Casualties: Gering
House of Lancaster
- Commander: Edmund Beaufort †
- Strength: ca. 2.000
- Casualties: ca. 100 (viele Adlige)
Strategic Context
Richard of York's attempt to break the Somerset faction's influence at court.
Conflict / War
Wars of the Roses
Related Literature
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Historical Locations
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