How strong were the Lancastrians before Towton? (-1461)

Question 1

What was the Lancastrian situation before Towton in 14601?

Answer 1

• losses at Northampton (10th Jul 1460) Mortimer’s Cross (2nd Feb 1461)
• regained Henry VI at Second Battle of St. Albans (17th Feb 1461)
• allies with Scotland through Mary of Guelders
• no control of London, Edward declared King on 1st Mar

Question 2

Why were the Lancastrians in a strong position?

Answer 2

• Scotland: had agreements with Mary of Guelders, had shelter if needed
• Support: had more men (30,000 vs 20,000) at Towton,
  had noble support of Talbots, Beauforts, Percies and Courtenays
• Weakened Yorkists: deaths of York, Rutland + Salisbury at Wakefield on 30th Dec 1460,
  excecuted Bonville + Sir Thomas Kyriell at St. Albans,
  took back Henry, lost power for Yorkists

CA: death of York broke Act of Accord, triggered Edward’s assault on throne

Question 3

Why were the Lancastrians not in a strong position?

Answer 3

• Unpopularity: pillaging by Margaret’s Northern army in Grantham + Stamford (Lincolnshire) and at St. Albans Abbey meant they were barred from London on 22nd Feb 1461 and Coventry turned pro-Yorkist out of fear,
  no control in London, so Edward is declared King 1st March 1461
• Military Losses: lost at Northampton (10th July 1460) and Mortimer’s Cross (2nd Feb 1461),
  deaths of Buckingham at N and Owen Tudor at MC
• Act of Accord: currently disinherited, only way to prevent a Yorkist King was through war

CA: unpopular, but still have more nobles & manpower