Towton Battlefield

The site of the Battle of Towton lies a little to the south of Tadcaster, along the B1217, where a battlefield cross is located. The battle was fought on 29 March 1461, Palm Sunday, and is reputedly the longest, biggest and bloodiest battle ever on British soil. Fought between the Yorkist and Lancastrian armies during the so-called Wars of the Roses, it lasted about 10 hours and the numbers thought to be involved are staggering – anywhere between 75-90,000 combatants, with the Lancastrians having a slight advantage in numbers. Victory went to the Yorkists. The figures for the dead are obscene: estimates vary wildly, but the lowest is in the region of 10,000 and highest 38,000; many sources suggest losses of 28,000, of which 20,000 were on the Lancastrian side. There is a waymarked walk around the site, with useful information boards, and the countryside is very pleasant. The Towton Battlefield Society offers guided tours.