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Published March 2025. The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Battle of Towton is in 1459-1461 Wars of the Roses: Second War.
On 29 Mar 1461 the Battle of Towton was a decisive victory for King Edward IV of England (age 18) bringing to an end the first war of the Wars of the Roses. Said to be the bloodiest battle on English soil 28000 were killed mainly during the rout that followed the battle.
The Yorkist army was commanded by King Edward IV of England with John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 56), William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30) (knighted), Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 45), Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57), John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 23) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61).
The Lancastrian army suffered significant casualties including Richard Percy (age 35), Ralph Bigod Lord Morley (age 50), John Bigod (age 28), Robert Cromwell (age 71), Ralph Eure (age 49), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 51), John Beaumont (age 33), Thomas Dethick (age 61), Everard Simon Digby, William Plumpton (age 25) and William Welles (age 51) who were killed.
Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) was killed. His son Henry (age 12) succeeded 4th Earl of Northumberland, 7th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 15th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland (age 3) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.
Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 49) was killed. He was buried at the nearby Saxton church where his chest tomb is extant. Baron Dacre Gilsland extinct.
Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 55) was killed. His son Richard (age 33) succeeded 7th Baron Welles.
The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 25), Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland and Andrew Trollope.
Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter was attainted after the battle; Duke Exeter, Earl Huntingdon forfeit.
Those who fought for the Lancaster included William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), William Plumpton, John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley (age 60), William Norreys (age 20), Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43), Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns (age 30), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12), Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby, Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 56), James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John Butler 6th Earl Ormonde (age 39), William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22), Henry Roos and Thomas Tresham (age 41). Cardinal John Morton (age 41) were captured.
John Heron of Ford Castle Northumberland (age 45), Robert Dethick (age 86), Andrew Trollope and his son David Trollope were killed.
On 03 Apr 1461 Thomas Courtenay 14th Earl Devon (age 29) was beheaded at York [Map] following his capture at the Battle of Towton. he was attainted; Earl Devon forfeit.
Holinshed's Chronicle. 29 Mar 1461. When ech part perceiued other, they made a great shout; and at the same instant there fell a small sléete or snow, which by violence of the wind that blew against, them, was driven into the faces of king Henries armies, so that their sight was some what dimmed. The lord Fauconbridge, leading K. Edwards fore-ward, caused euerie archer vnder his standard to shoot one flight (which before he caused them to prouide) and then made them to stand still. The northerne men feeling the shot, but by reason of the sléet, not well viewing the distance betwéene them and their enimies, like forward men shot their sheafe arrowes as fast as they might: but all to losse, for they came short of the southerne men by thréescore yards.
So their shot almost spent, the lord Fauconbridge marched forward with his archers, which not onelie shot their whole sheafes, but also gathered the arrowes of their enimies, and let a great part flie against their first owners, and suffered a great sort of them to stand, which sore troubled the legs of the northerne men, when the battell ioined. The earle of Northumberland and Andrew Trollop, chiefe capteins of king Henries vawward, seeing their shot not to preuaile, hasted to ioine with their enimies, and the other part slacked not their pase. This battell was sore foughten, for hope of life was set aside on either part, & taking of prisoners proclamed a great offense, so euerie man determined to vanquish or die in the field.
This deadlie conflict continued ten houres in doubtfull state of victorie, vncerteinlie heauing and setting on both sides; but in the end, king Edward so couragiouslie comforted his men, that the other part was discomfited and ouercome, who like men amazed, fled toward Tadcaster bridge to saue themselues, where in the mid waie is a little brooke called Cocke, not verie broad, but of a great deepenesse, in which, what for hast to escape, and what for feare of their followers, a great number was drowned there. It was reported, that men aliue passed the riuer vpon dead carcasses, and that the great riuer of Wharfe whereinto that brooke dooth run, and of all the water comming from Towton, was coloured with bloud.
Hall's Chronicle. 29 Mar 1461. When this conflict was ended at Ferrybridge, the lord Fauconberg, having the forward, because the duke of Norfolk was fallen sick, valiantly upon Palm Sunday in the twilight, set forth his army, and came to Saxton, where he might apparently perceive the host of his adversaries, which were accompted 40,000 men, and thereof advertised king Edward, whose whole army, they that knew it, and paid the wages, affirm to 48,640 persons, which incontinent [ie. quickly] with the earl of Warwick set forward leaving the rereward under the governance of sir John Wenlock, and sir John Dinham and other. And first of all he made proclamation, that no prisoner should be taken, nor one enemy saved. So the same day about nine of the clock, which was the 29th day of March, being Palm Sunday, both the hosts approached in a plain field, between Towton and Saxton. When each part perceived other, they made a great shout, and at the same instant time, their fell a small snyt or snow, which by violence of the wind was driven into the faces of them, which were of king Henry's parte, so that their sight was somewhat blemished and diminished. The lord Fauconberg, which led the forward of king Edward's battle (as before is rehearsed) being a man of great policy, and of much experience in martial feats, caused every archer under his standard, to shot one flight (which before he caused them to provide) and then made them to stand still. The northern men, feeling the shoot, but by reason of the snow, not well viewing the distance between them and their enemies, like hardy men shot their sheaf arrows as fast as they might, but all their shot was lost, and their labour vain for they came not near the Southerners, by forty tailor's yards. When their shot was almost spent, the lord Fauconberg marched forward with his archers, which not only shot their own whole sheaves, but also gathered the arrows of their enemies, and let a great part of them fly against their own masters, and another part they let stand on the ground which sore annoyed the legs of the owners, when the battle joined. The earl of Northumberland, and Andrew Trollope, which were chieftains of king Henries vanguard, seeing their shot not to prevail, hastened forward to join with their enemies: you may be sure the other part northing retarded, but valiantly fought with their enemies. This battle was sore fought, for hope of life was set on side on every part and taking of prisoners was proclaimed as a great offence, by reason whereof every man determined, either to conquer or to die in the field. This deadly battle and bloody conflict, continued, ten hours in doubtful victory. The one parte. some time flowing, and sometime ebbing, but inconclusive, king Edward so courageously comforted his men, refreshing the weary, and helping the wounded, that the other part was discomfited and overcome, and like men amassed, fled toward Tadcaster bridge to save themselves: but in the mean way there is a little brook called Cock, not very broad, but of a great deepness, in the which, what for haste of escaping, and what for fear of followers, a great number were drenched and drowned, in so much that the common people there affirm, that men alive passed the river upon dead carcasses, and that the great river of Wharfe, which is the great sewer of the brook, and of all the water coming from Towton, was coloured with blood. The chase continued all night, and the most part of the next day, and every Northern men, when they saw or perceived any advantage, returned again and fought with their enemies, to the great loss of both partes. For in this three days were slain (as they knew it wrote) on both partes 36,740 persons, all Englishmen and of one nation whereof the chief were the earls of Northumberland, and Westmorland and the lord Dacres the lord Welles, sir John Neville, Andrew Trollope, Robert Home, and many other Knights and Esquires, and the earl of Devonshire taken prisoner, but the dukes of Somerset and Exeter fled from the field and saved themselves. This conflict was in manner unnatural, for in it the son fought against the father, the brother against the brother, the nephew against the uncle, and the tenant against his lord, which slaughter did not only sore debilitate and much weaken the puissance of this realm, considering that these dead men, when they were living had force enough to resist the greatest princes power of all Europe: But also gave a courage to outward enemies and foreign potentates, to invade and make war in this realm, which thing was not unlikely to have ensued, if either Louis the French king had been at this time quiet in his realm, or James king of Scots had been of age and master of him self, yet thanked he God, for although the gate of a conquest were opened, yet it was shut again, or it was espied.
Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede. [29 Mar 1461] For here you could see another Achilles, the Duke of Norfolk (age 45), with his soldiers advancing, and there, the young Hector, the Earl of Warwick, engaging with his recruits. And just like that, a second Achilles, Lord de Fauconberg (age 56), with his citizens, rushing upon the enemies and striking them down. Although, as the poet writes, they didn't depict the fall of Troy so swiftly, they did portray, and continued to paint, the entire royal road from the battlefield almost to the walls of the city of York, a distance of about six miles, with crimson blood. Even though the Lord sent down blood from the heavens, saturating it with an excessive and almost miraculous new colour. For they themselves were valiant military leaders, and not unjustly to be compared to the aforementioned leaders. For at the beginning of the war, when these roaring Northerners were bending and releasing their bows to shoot straight in the dark, the leaders themselves forced them first, because they did not want to keep the covenant of the Lord, nor walk in His law, which dictates that the elder son should always be preferred to the younger son in hereditary right, as the other sons of Ephraim, turning their back on their inheritance on the day of battle. Later, because it was a generation further corrupt and exasperating, a generation, namely, such that it did not direct its heart with the Lord, nor was its spirit believed with Him, they rushed upon them with such force and effort that they forced them, and pressed them so tightly, that they could not flee from their presence, except as young lambs usually flee from the jaws of wolves, or fly from the talons of hawks, their wings trembling, like doves. Their leaders and captains, as many as they had in the field, either fell to the ground with their standards and banners, or fled to hiding places where they could conceal themselves from the edge of the sword.
Nam hic videre poteras Aacidem alterum, Ducem, videlicet, Northfolchiæ, cum suis militibus tendere, illic novellum Hectorem, Comitem, scilicet, Warwyci, cum suis tironibus se ingerere, isthic vero Achillem secundum, Dominum, videlicet, de Facunbrigge, cum suis Quiritibus, irruere in hostes, ac eos prosternere; quod, licet, ut scribit Poeta, nequaquam fluido depingerent Pergama tota mero, pingebant tamen, et depingebant, non aliter, totam viam regiam a campo præliationis, usque pene ad mœnia urbis Eboracensis, per spatium quasi sex milliarium, cruore rubro, quametsi Dominus sanguinem de cœlo demitteret, intingeretque novo colore nimio, ac plusquam prodigiose rubricaret. Erant enim ipsi duces milites strenuissimi, nec immerito ducibus jam dictis comparandi. Nam in principio belli, dum isti bobinantes Boreales intendebant et immittebant suos arcus, ut sagittarent in obscuro rectos corde, coegerunt eos ipsi duces primo, quia noluerunt custodire testamentum Domini, nec ambulare in lege ejus, quæ dictat filium seniorem filio juniori in jure semper hæreditario anteferri, velut alteros filios Ephraim, suum convertere dorsum in die belli Posterius vero, quia erat ulterius generatio prava et exasperans, generatio, videlicet, talis, que nec direxit cor suum cum Domino, nec creditus erat cum ipso spiritus ejus, ideo cum tanto impetu et conatu irruerunt in eos, ut cogerent ipsos, et coangustarent, non aliter a facie eorum fugere, quam discurrere solent a lupi faucibus pavitantes oviculæ, aut evolare ab accipitris unguibus, alis trepidantibus, columbellæ. Duces eorum, et capitaneos, quotquot in campo habebant sibi obvios, vel in terram, una cum suis signis et vexillis, prostraverant, vel ad latibula fugere, quibus possent ab ore gladii se occulere, compellebant.
Chronicle of Jean de Waurin. Then each of them, hearing the amiable request made by the young Earl, whom they already regarded as King, all responded with one voice that they would assist him with their bodies and their wealth until death. Upon receiving this response, the Earl thanked them, then dismounted from his horse and told them, with sword or bare hands, that he wished to live and die with them on that day, to give them greater courage. He then positioned himself in front of his standard, facing his enemies, who were advancing powerfully with great noise, shouting loudly, "King Henry."
On the day of this encounter, there was a great slaughter between the two parties, and for a long time, it was unclear who would emerge victorious, so furious was the battle and so great and pitiful was the carnage, as fathers did not spare sons nor sons fathers. But in the end, through the great prowess primarily of the Earl of March, God granted him victory, and he won the day over his enemies, whom he completely defeated.
Alors chascun deulz, oians la requeste tant amyable que leur faisoit le jenne comte lequel desja tenoient pour roy, respondirent tous dune voix que jusques au morir ilz lui aideroient de corpz et davoir; de laquele responce le comte les remercya, si descendy de son coursier en leur disant, lespee ou poing, que ce jour voulloit vivre et morir avec eulz, adfin de leur donner plus grant courage, et lors se vint il mettre devant son estandart regardant ses annemis, qui marchoient puissamment, menant moult grant bruit, cryant a haulte voix: "King Henry," si eut au jour de cest aprochement moult grant occision entre les deux parties, et fut une longue espace que len ne scavoit a qui donner la victore, tant fut la bataille furieuse et la tuyson grande et pitoiable, car le pere ne deportoit le filz ne le filz le pere; mais en fin, par la grant proesse principalement du comte de La Marche, Dieu luy donna la victore, et guaigna la journee sur ses annemis, lesquelz il mist a plaine descomfiture.
Chronicle of Jean de Waurin. Indeed, if one were to recount and describe all the individual feats of arms that occurred on that day, both on one side and the other, it would be too much to cover. Therefore, I will be as brief as possible, but I can assure you that the greatest clash of the battle occurred near the quarters of the Earl of Warwick, who was severely wounded there. However, in the end, those on the side of the King, the Queen, and the Duke of Somerset were completely defeated, and the Earl of March remained victorious. As I was informed by credible sources who were at the battle, all the greatest lords with the King and the Queen were either killed or captured: first, the Earl of Northumberland (age 39), the Earl of Clifford, the Lord of Mauley (age 50), the Lord of Willoughby (age 55), the Lord of Muelles, the son of the Duke of Buckingham [Henry Stafford (age 36)], the Lord Scales, the Lord Gray, Andrew Trollope, the Lord Roos, the Lord of Percy, Sir Grauan and his son, and several other knights and esquires, which was a pity, as well as thirty-six thousand men who died that day, not counting the prisoners and the wounded, who were numerous, including the Lord of Rivers and his son. The King Henry and Queen Margaret, his spouse, the Duke of Somerset, and the Duke of Exeter fled to York.
A la verite qui volroit declarer et dire toutes les proescheuses apartises darmes qui ce jour se firent tant dun coste comme dautre, len y porroit trop mettre, et pourtant men passeray le plus brief que faire porray, mais je vous ose bien affermer que la plus grant froisse de la bataille saborda vers le quartier du comte de Warewic lequel y fut durement navre; mais en fin ceulz de la partie du roy, de la royne et du duc de Sombresset furent menez a plaine descomfiture et demoura victorien le comte de La Marche, et comme je fus imforme par gens de credence qui a la bataille furent, tous les plus grans princes davec le roy et la royne y demourerent mors ou prins: premierement le comte de Northumbelland, le comte de Clifford, le seigneur de Muelle, le seigneur de Willebic, le seigneur de Muelles, le filz du duc de Bouquinghuem, le seigneur de Scalles, le seigneur de Gray, et Andrieu Trolot, le seigneur de Ros, le seigneur de Persy, messire Grauan et son filz, et plusieurs autres chevalliers et escuyers, dont ce fut pitie, telement quil y morut ce jour bien trente six mille hommes sans les prisonniers et navrez qui y furent en moult grant nombre, entre lesquelz estoient le seigneur de Riviere et son filz; si sen fuyrent a Yorc le roy Henry et la royne Marguerite son espeuse, le duc de Sombresset et le duc dExcestre.
Chronicle of England by William of Worcester. 29 Mar 1461 ... and on the following day [29th March 1461], a most grievous battle was fought between Edward (age 18) and his lords, namely the Duke of Norfolk (age 45), the Earl of Warwick (age 32), Lord Fauconberg (age 56), etc., and Henry VI with his lords, where King Henry lost the field, resulting in the destruction of his entire faction, and he fled with his followers; wherein the Earl of Northumberland (age 39), Lord Clifford (deceased), Andrew Trollope, and many other lords, knights, squires, and gentlemen perished, some in battle and some in flight, totalling over nine thousand men in all.
et die sequenti commissum est gravissimum prœlium inter Edwardum cum suis dominis, scilicet, duce Norfolchiæ, comite Warwici, domino Facunbrygge, etc., et inter Henricum VI. cum suis dominis, ubi rex Henricus perdidit campum in destructionem totius suæ partis, et fugit cum suis; ubi comes Northumbriæ, dominus Clifford, Andreas Trollop, et multi alii domini, milites, armigeri et generosi occubuerunt, quidam in prœlio et quidam fugiendo, ultra ix. m. hominum in toto.
Chronicle of John Benet. [29 Mar 1461] And the King went to the town of Ferrybridge, and there, on the 6th day before the Kalends of April—that is, on Palm Sunday—the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Devon, the Duke of Exeter, Lord Grey of Codnor, Lord Willoughby, Lord Roos, and many others numbering 40,000 warriors came to meet the king in battle. All these, with God's favor, he manfully slew or put to flight, though many knights from the king's own side fled. The King fought on foot. Later that same day, other lords fought against the king near Sherburn in Elmet, and he likewise defeated them. And a third time, the King fought that day with the Earl of Northumberland, Lord Neville, and others near the town of Tadcaster, and he cast them down and put them to flight. And so, on the following day, the King entered the city of York. On that day, there were slain on the King's side Lord FitzWalter, Lord Scrope, and five thousand men. On the other side, the Earl of Northumberland, Lord Neville, and others—numbering thirty thousand—were killed. Then Henry, who had been king, hearing that the northerners had been defeated, fled to Scotland with his wife and son, and with them went the Duke of Somerset, the Duke of Exeter, Lord Roos, and others, whom King Edward pursued.
Et inuit Rex usque villam de Ferebrygh' et ibi vj Kal. videlicet in die Palmarum obviavit Regi dux Somersetie, Comes Devonie, dux Exonie, dominus de la Gray de Cottonere, dominus la Wylby, dominus la Ros et multi numero xl milia bellatorum adversus Regem Edwardum, quos omnes viriliter Domino favente interfecit et fugavit cum multi equites ex parte regis fugierunt et sic pugnavit rex in pede. Et exinde alii domini pugnaverunt adversus regem eodem die juxta Shirborn in Elmet et illos similiter devicit, et tercio pugnavit Rex eodem die cum Comite de Northumbrie et domino la Nevyle et aliis juxta villam de Tadcastre et illos deicit et fugavit. Et sic intravit in crastino Rex civitatem Eboraci. Et sic illo die interfecti sunt ex parte Regis dominus la Fewalter et dominus la Scroop et quinque milia hominum. Et ex altera parte interfectus est Comes Northumbrie, dominus la Nevyll' et alii numero triginta milia. Tunc audiens Henricus qui fuit rex quod boriales victi fuerunt fugit usque Scociam cum uxore et filio et cum eis dux Somersetie, dux Exonie, dominus la Ros et alii, quos insequebatur Rex Edwardus.
Chronicle of Gregory. 29 Mar 1461. Ande the xxix [29] day of the same monythe of Marche, that was þe Palme Sunday, the kyng (age 18) mette with the lordys of the Northe at Schyrborne. And there was on Harrys party that was King-
Prynce Edwarde (age 7), Kyng Harrys son.
The Duke of Exceter (age 30).
The Duke of Somersett (age 25).
The Erle of Northehumberlond (age 39).
The Erle of Devynschyre (age 29).
The lord Bemound (age 33).
The lord Clyfforde (deceased).
The lord Nevyle.
The lord Wellys (age 51).
The lord Wylby (age 40).
The lord Harry of Bokyngham.
The lord Rivers (age 56).
The lord Schalys.
The lord Maule (age 50).
The lord Ferys of Groby (age 23).
The lord Foschewe. [Possibly John Fortescue (age 67)]
The lord Lovelle (age 28).
Syr Thomas Hammys, captayne of alle the fote men.
Syr Thomas Tressam (age 41).
Syr Robert Whytyngham (age 32).
Syr John Dawne.
And the yonge Lord of Schrouysbury (age 12), and many moo othyr, bothe lordys, knyghtys, and squyers.
Here ben the namys of the lordys that were slayne in the felde in King Harrys (age 39) party.
The lord Nevyle (age 51),
And many moo then I can reherse; but whythe [t]es and othyr that were slayne in the fylde is a grete nombyr, by syde xlij [42] knyghtys that were slayne aftyr; the hoole nombyr is xxxv M1 [35000] of comeners. Jhesu be þou marcyfulle unto her soulys. Amen.
And the lordys before wretyn fledde, the substance in to Schotlond with the King Harry and Quene Margarete (age 31), and son the Prynce with hym, full of sorowe and hevynys, no wondyr. God knowythe, but every man deme the beste tylle the trought be tryde owte. For many a lady lost her beste be lovyd in that batayle.
Chronicle of Robert Fabyan. [29 Mar 1461] The kynge than so holdynge his iourney, incite with his enemyes at a vyllage. ix. [9] myles on this halfe Yorke called Towton or Shyreboroe [Battle of Towton], and upon Palme Sonday gaue unto them batayll, ye whiche was so cruell, that in the felde and chace were slayen upon. xxx. M. [30,000] men ouer ye men of name, of the whiche hereafter some ensue. That is to say, the erle of Northumberlande, the erle of Westmerlande, ye lorde Clyfforde, the lorde Egromonde, syr John .... syr Andrewe Trollop, and other to the noumber of. xi. [11] or of moo1.
Note 1. or moo. edit. J542. 1559.
A Chronicle of London. 29 Mar 1461. Therle of Warwik fledde thens Westward to therle of March: than came therle of March and therle of Warwik with moch people to London, and there the people callid him kyng: and he toke it upon him, and went Northwardes and faught with the lords of the North beside Sherborne, where were moch people slayne upon Palme Sonday: and he bigan to reigue the iiijth day of March.
Chronicle of Gregory. 03 Apr 1461. The Erle of Devynschyre (age 29) was seke, and might not voyde a waye, and was take and be heddyd. And the Erle of Wylte schyre (age 40) was take and brought unto Newe Castell [Map] to the King. And there his hedde was smete of, and send unto London to be sette uppon London Brygge [Map]. And Docter Morton (age 41), the Prynces chaunceler, was take with him and put in the Towre, but he schapyd a way long tyme aftyr, and is by yonde the see with the Quene, &c.
Paston Letters Volume 3 450. 04 Apr 1461. 3.450. William Paston and John Playters to John Paston (age 39).
To my maister, John Paston, in hast,
Please you to knowe and wete of suche tydyngs as my Lady of York hath by a lettre of credens, under the signe manuel of oure Soverayn Lord King Edward, whiche lettre cam un to oure sayd Lady this same day, Esterne Evyn, at xj. clok, and was sene and red by me, William Paston.
Fyrst, oure Soverayn Lord (age 18) hath wonne the feld, and uppon the Munday next after Palmesunday, he was resseved in to York with gret solempnyte and processyons. And the Mair the Yorkist cause and Comons of the said cite mad ther menys to have grace be Lord Montagu (age 30) and Lord Barenars (age 45), whiche be for the Kyngs coming in to the said cite desyred hym of grace for the said cite, whiche graunted hem grace. On the Kyngs parte is slayn Lord Fitz Water (deceased), and Lord Scrop (age 23) sore hurt; John Stafford, Horne of Kent ben ded; and Umfrey Stafford, William Hastyngs (age 30) mad knyghts with other; Blont is knygth, &c.
Un the contrary part is ded Lord Clyfford (deceased), Lord Nevyle (deceased), Lord Welles (deceased), Lord Wyllouby, Antony Lord Scales, Lord Harry, and be supposyng the Erle of Northumberland, Andrew Trollop, with many other gentyll and comons to the nomber of xx.ml. (20000).
Item, Kyng Harry, the Qwen, the Prince, Duke of Somerset, Duke of Exeter, Lord Roos, be fledde in to Scotteland, and they be chased and folwed, &c. We send no er un to you be cause we had non certynges tyl now; for un to this day London was as sory cite as myght. And because Spordauns had no certeyn tydyngs, we thought ye schuld take them a worthe tyl more certayn.
Item, Thorp Waterfeld is yeldyn, as Spordauns can telle you. And Jesu spede you. We pray you that this tydyngs my moder may knowe.
Be your Broder,
W. Paston.
T. Playters.
Note 1. ‘On a piece of paper pinned to the above letter,' says Fenn, ‘is a list of the 268names of the noblemen and knights, and the number of soldiers slain at the above battle of Towton, as follow:—'
Comes Northumbriæ (deceased).
Comes Devon (deceased).
Dominus de Beamunde.
Dominus de Dacre (deceased).
Dominus Henricus de Bokyngham.
Dominus de Scales Antony Revers.
Dominus de Wellugby.
Dominus de Malley Radulfus Bigot Miles.
Millites.
Sir Rauff Gray.
Sir Ric. Jeney.
Sir Harry Bekingham.
Sir Andrew Trollop.
With xxviij.ml. (28000) nomberd by Harralds.
On 01 May 1461 James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40) was beheaded at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland [Map] having been captured at, or after, the Battle of Towton. His brother John (age 39) succeeded 6th Earl Ormonde. Earl Wiltshire forfeit.