Von Ranke

In 1461 King Edward 1V annihilated the Lancastrian forces at the battle of Towton, which many historians consider the bloodiest battle ever to be fought on English soil, but in terms of significance for Edward's reign was it more important than Tewkesbury?

SPERRO

Yes, It was, because it "finalised" any further arguement (for the time being), regarding the English crown. Tewkesbury put the cap on it.

Von Ranke

That was quick Sperro, and yes I agree that it won Edward the crown but in terms of medieval warfare you could argue that the Yorkists had all the luck on their side at Towton but Tewkesbury was a more equal contest and strategically Edward proved himself as the finest warrior king of the English medieval age.

SPERRO

Iam in full agreement Von (because I was there luvvie), no only joking, it was a close run battle and the outcome was not cut and dried. The Lancastrians were playing a sneaky game hiding men in the woods etc. I would not necessarily agree that he was the finest warrior king, but maybe the one with most courage. this, in fact, is what I like about him.

Von Ranke

Remember me on Vaentine's day This was a kick off thread and although Towton was a massive victory which gave Edward the crown it never really settled anything. On the other hand Tewkesbury guaranteed the King a pain free twelve years. Queen Margaret's son was destroyed on the battlefield thus demolishing Lancastrian hopes of succession. Somerset was hauled out of sanctuary from Tewkesbury Abbey and executed and Henry V1 was done away with. On this basis I would argue that Tewkesbury, although not so bloody, was just as great a victory as Towton.

SPERRO

before we go any further, Iam Richard III and not a HAM actor, my real name is Olivier darling

back to the Op. You are correct as far as Iam concerned on all points. Just a word about Tewkesbury abbey. The abbey was not, through an edict, able to provide sanctuary refuge for Somerset and the others who had sought it, and they were not safe even though they thought they were. On this basis, they were sumarily executed on the spot.

The battle was just as great a victory as Towton, because it finally put a lid on the Lancastrian problem. Bloody times required bloody solutions and, as distasteful as it appears to us today, it was necessary for stability within the kingdom. To kill the Serpent, cut off its head.

Crystal Rainbow

Hello, Von
Reporting for duty,
Tewkesbury was a battle, that altered a lot of things with Edward of Lancaster dead. It left Margaret Beaufort to move herself forward as a candidate for the Lancaster claim even when it was then such a distant dream.
It was time of peace, but not everybody was interested in that.

Von Ranke

Thanks for that Sperro. At Towton the luck went with the Yorkists as the Lancastrian archers messed up due to a heavy snowstorm and Edward took full advantage. Tewkesbury, in my opinion, showed Edward to be a brilliant soldier as he used the terrible terrain to his full advantage. Somerset was so frustrated at being out manoeuvered he actually, according to some sources, smashed the brains out of Sir John Wenock one of the Lancastrian's veteran soldiers. As you say Edward this time did not scotch the snake he killed it.

SPERRO

This battle was the culmination of a "chase" up the Severn valley, Edward attempting to cut of the lancastrian line of march before they got back into the midlands and further north. Magaret could have decided this battle, through her army being fairly better positioned on the field. Edwards troops were exhausted, having marched all the way from London/windsor to catch them.

If the lancastrians had got into the north, the conflict may have continued indefinitely.

Von Ranke

Your welcome Corporal. I doubt however that Edward would have even considered Margaret Beaufort's son as a a seious threat to the Yorkist cause. I believe that the constant warfare of the Wars of the Roses had wiped out so much of the nobility that the crown became a possibility for the Tudor's. At the end of the day Henry was the last man standing. " A house divided against itself cannot stand ".