Impact - 1471

• A lot of the gentry in England only really got involved if they were personally called to arms. Even then, they were often reluctant unless they were very close to any of the leaders. Most only wanted to protect their own inheritance and interests.
• Upper ranks of the common people showed their willingness to fight, particularly in battles like Towton. However, evidence of the common man being involved is rare. The widow of a hosier killed at Towton was granted admission to the almshouse of the hospital of St Katherine by the Tower of London.
• In 1996, a mass grave on sit of Towton was 37 man, all from different walks of life. They showed a range in age and stature. 1464, a large number of humble men were executed for their support for the Lancastrians, having impact on their families. He allowed the slaughter of hundreds of ordinary soldiers fleeing the scene at Barnet and Tewkesbury.
• The church distanced itself from the civil wars, an suffered little impact. Very few members of the senior clergymen were involved.
• Land and property wasn't all that impacted. Battles in towns were kept to a minimum. There was some damage from the Lancastrian resistance. Normal life was conducted with great ease. Less damage than the 100 years war.
• Political turmoil provided cover for frequent personal vendettas or acts of violence. This was even acknowledged by parliament in 1472. e.g. Sir William Lucy was murdered at hands of John Stafford when battle of Northampton was already over.
• A historian calculated that between 1459-61, around 58/70 peers fought in a battle. There was a loss of quarter of the parliamentary peerage. After Towton, 42 Lancastrian knights and esquires were executed.
• Between 1469-71, those involved dropped and many wanted to protect more personal interests. Many may have opposed Edward's favour to the Woodvilles and were less enthusiastic.
• Local taxation was increasing. Citizens had to pay soldiers and loans were forced out of them. They had to employ men to repair towns. Shipping was threatened by the Earl of Warwick's piratical raids.