The First Battle of St Albans

The First Battle of St Albans took place on May 22, 1455, marking the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England between the houses of Lancaster and York over control of the throne. The battle occurred in St Albans, Hertfordshire, where Yorkist forces, led by Richard, Duke of York, defeated the Lancastrians, commanded by King Henry VI’s supporters. This victory allowed the Yorkists to capture the king, influencing the course of the conflict. The battle highlighted the deep political divisions in England during the 15th century and set the stage for further unrest.