The Battle of Towton

by Andrew W. Boardman

On Palm Sunday 1461 a ruthless and bitterly contested battle was fought by two massive medieval armies on an exposed Yorkshire plateau for the prize of the crown of England. This singular battle in the Wars of the Roses has acquired the auspicious title of the longest, biggest and bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil.

Illustrated throughout with contemporary drawings and paintings, modern photographs and detailed maps and plans, this is the first ever comprehensive account of the conflict which gave Edward IV the throne.

Genres: Military History, Nonfiction, History, Military Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jacob Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Lived in York for 10 years now but only came across Towton when visiting Lotherton few years ago. Attended the commemoration on Palm Sunday this year whilst reading the book as well which also brought the event tolife. You only ever learn the Tudors/reformation at school so only now starting to learn and appreciate War of the Roses and the ins and outs of Yorkist and Lancaster.

[Bill38silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a battle to read through the first few chapters of this handsomely produced book. It contains a welter of names and titles and events to set the scene to the Big Bloody battle. To me unravelling the connections that may (or may not be) the reasoning for what happened in the first two thirds of the War of The Roses makes the book convoluted. Then as now, is anything that happened 60 years ago directly relevant to today?

As the main subject draws nearer, the book becomes much more interesting, especially the impact of topography and adverse weather and the detail of standard tactics and weapons in the late medieval period. Aside from the trauma of being involved in the brutal fight and flight of some 28000 men, it is salutary to note that once somebody was summoned to fight under a particular banner, the penalties for running away or being on the losing side could involve having your property and possessions confiscated. Hard times indeed.

Not an easy read, but worthwhile.

[Lord Bathcanoe of Snark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what the revised edition is like, but the edition published in 1994, reprinted in 2000 ,begins to fail as early as page 7 when the writer refers to King Henry Vs brother Edward Duke of York dying at Agincourt. Henry never had a brother named Edward. The Duke of York in question was a grandson of King Edward lll.
How can you trust an historian, and l use the term loosely, who gets such a basic fact wrong.
Page 7 was far enough for me with this one.

[Mark Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

its a good book and packed with information but perhaps too much background rather than the battle.

[Miles Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well-researched and presented account of the bloodiest and largest battle fought in England. Boardman gives a succinct background to the Wars of The Roses, yet one which contains enough detail to allow the reader unfamiliar with late fifteenth century England to find their way with confidence.