Timeline March 1461

Events in March 1461 4

• 1421 – 1461 Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland (1421-1461) Died 29 March 1461, aged 39 A leading Lancastrian magnate, Henry Percy led forces against the Yorkists throughout the early Wars of the Roses. He was killed fighting for Henry VI at the Battle of Towton. His death and attainder temporarily broke Percy power in northern England.
• 1435 – 1461 John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford (1435-1461) Died 28 March 1461, aged 25 Known as "Bloody Clifford" by Yorkist chroniclers for killing Edmund, Earl of Rutland, after the Battle of Wakefield, John Clifford was a committed Lancastrian commander. He was killed in a skirmish at Ferrybridge on the eve of the Battle of Towton.
• 1461 Edward IV proclaimed King of England Yorkist claimant deposes Henry VI Edward, Earl of March, was proclaimed king in London after Lancastrian forces failed to capitalise on their victory at St Albans. His claim rested on descent from Edward III through both his parents, overriding Henry VI's Lancastrian line. He was crowned the following June after securing his position at the Battle of Towton.
• 1461 Battle of Towton Bloodiest battle fought on English soil Fought in a snowstorm in Yorkshire, Edward IV's Yorkist army crushed the Lancastrian forces loyal to Henry VI in the largest and bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses. Contemporary estimates put the dead at over 20,000 men. The victory secured Edward IV's throne and forced Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou, and their son into exile in Scotland.