The Second Battle of St Albans

Question 1

Leaders

Answer 1

Yorkist leaders - Warwick and his brother, Lord Montagu and the Duke of Norfolk

Lancastrian leaders - Margaret, Somerset and Sir Andrew Trollope

Question 2

Setting up defenses

Answer 2

On 12th February 1461, taking Henry with him, Warwick marched to St Alban’s from London to intercept Queen Margaret’s Lancastrian army.

Warwick made the assumption on the Lancastrians’ route and prepared the Yorkist position and fortified defenses

A strong contingent of Yorkist longbowmen was stationed in the center of St Albans, around the Marketplace.

Question 3

Change of route

Answer 3

Meanwhile, the Lancastrians were diverted from their expected route by news of a Yorkist rising in Dunstable, led by a local butcher

Margaret’s Lancastrian army turned west and made for Dunstable, where the butcher’s rising was suppressed with violence and the town sacked.

The Lancastrians continued on their way towards St Albans from the west and bypassed the Yorkists.

Question 4

King Henry VI

Answer 4

King Henry VI sent a message to Northumberland, saying that he proposed to join his Queen’s army.

A number of Lancastrian noblemen collected the King from his tent and took him into their lines, taking care to display the Royal Standard in the Lancastrian lines.

In addition to being routed by the Lancastrian troops, the Yorkists saw that they were now no longer fighting for the King, but against him and might well be classed as traitors. The disintegration of Montagu’s force was further accelerated.

Question 5

Where was Edward?

Answer 5

Edward had been detained fighting Lancastrians at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross

This meant Edward was not at the second Battle of St. Albans

Question 6

Outcome

Answer 6

Lancastrian Victory on the 17th Feb 1461

Warwick fled with 4000 men and met up with Edwards

Margaret moved to London but was refused entry into the city