Warmaster Historical: The Battle of Towton, 1461

The Battle of Towton was the bloodiest battle ever to take place on British soil. 1% of the entire population is believed to have die that day.

So let’s recreate it in Warmaster!

Warmaster Medieval Armies gives us our belligerents on the field today.

The House of Lancaster and House of York army lists will be where we’re building our lists. Each will have special rules to represent their forces. Keep in mind, this game will not necessarily be a perfectly fair fight, as so few battles are.

The Battle of Towton was a decisive engagement, taking place north of Saxton, and south of Towton, just south of the city of York. The Lancastrian king, Henry VI, held York, while Edward IV, freshly crowned King of England, appointed by Parliament, was the official ruler of England.

Marching north to deal with the deposed ruler, Edward had already battled on a bridge to the south, before marching to Saxton. Forces loyal to Lancaster marched from York to intercept the army of around 30,000. It was on what would one day be known as The Bloody Meadows, that the battle would take place.

It was Palm Sunday. An early spring snowstorm began as the forces arrayed. Edward was outnumbered, but determined to conquer the enemy before him. The Lancastrians, surprisingly, left the bluff to the north to approach the Yorkist forces, which would have provided far superior defenses. Even so, being at the high edge of a hill, it seemed nothing could stop the Lancastrian forces from defeating the much weaker Yorkists. Horsemen were hidden in the nearby Castle Hill Wood to ambush the army of the White Rose.

Game Rules

Neither army in this game may field any Artillery.

House of Lancaster

2000 points. You must take one unit of Currours, which will be stationed in the woods to the west near Cock Beck. While Cavalry cannot normally move through woods, this unit may.

Special Rules: Your army is on a higher incline, so will have the advantages of being on a hill (count as Defended), so long as they are fighting toward the south. However, the wind is blowing against them, so their arrows all fly 5cm shorter. You may take up to 3 Lords instead of only 2, along with your General.

House of York

1500 points. Your army is severely outnumbered at the start of the battle, fighting uphill. However, unbeknownst to Edward IV, the forces of Norfolk are moving to join them in battle. Build an additional 500 point force that represent Norfolk’s forces, led by a lord. They will arrive on turn 2 on a 6, turn 3 on a 5-6, turn 4 on a 4-6, and automatically on turn 5.

Special Rules: While the Lancastrians are fighting from a height advantage, the wind is at the back of the Yorkists. Add 5cm to all ranged attacks. You may also take Richard the III in this list, though he will be representing Edward IV. You may take up to 2 Lords, not counting the Lord in the Norfolk forces.

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This game will take place until one side breaks and flees.

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I myself have created army lists using the minis I’ve got on-hand, so it’s fewer points, but it still works!