First Battle of St.Albans

• • DOS + Exeter in the ascendancy
  • Yorkist leaders summoned to appear Great Council in Leics for brokering peace between York + Somerset
  • Y response = raise arms - attempts to negotiate FAILED
• • 18th May 1455 - H6 asked for armed men quickly
  • 19th May - Y ordered to disband forces
  • 21st May - King left Westminster + headed North = accompanied with DOS + DOB
  • Y + supporters sent letter to H6 protesting loyalty - concealed by DOS
  • H6 replaced DOS with DOB as constable of England + commander of royal army
• • 22nd May - Royalists came across Yorkists at St.Albans
  • Took position in town - avoid battle
  • Two sides clashed - short battle
  • Yorkists led by EOW breached royal defences - DOS, EON + LClifford - killed
  • Many of king support - fled