battle of St Albans

St Albans, battle of, 1455. The first battle of St Albans on 22 May was little more than a hand-to-hand skirmish. But since it ushered in the Wars of the Roses, the consequences were important. Richard, duke of York, had marched south, demanding from Henry VI the dismissal of his rival the duke of Somerset. The Yorkist victory was largely owing to Richard, earl of Warwick (‘the Kingmaker’). Somerset was killed, Henry VI captured, watching the proceedings.