m the throne while York becomes his heir. Henry's wife, Margaret, becomes furious so she goes to the Lancasters and gathers a powerful army which greatly outnumbers York's army (Lace 32-34). The next major battle takes place at Wakefield where Margaret's army of twenty thousand men defeats York and kills him. York's son Edward takes the role as duke of York and leads an army to victory at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross. After hearing of Edward's victory, Warwick takes his army toward London in order to help Edward, but Margaret's army stops them and rescues King Henry (35-37). Margaret tries to return to London and claim the throne, but the people will not let her so when Edward returns they pronounce him as king, making him Edward IV, first York to be the king of England (38).
             "Only three days after proclaiming himself as king, [Henry] and Warwick set out from London while traveling in short marches to allow citizens to join the army, which swells to about fifteen thousand" states William Lace (40). Then on March 29, 1461, Palm Sunday, the Battle of Towton starts. Both sides know that this battle is crucial because whoever wins will become the king (Lace 40). Virtually every noble family in England is represented, including King Edward, four dukes, six earls, and twenty barons. Due to a heavy snow, the Lancasters almost lose but with the help of reinforcements they stand their ground (Lace 42-43). The Battle of Towton becomes the longest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. It lasts for ten hours and King Edward is victorious. After the battle, on June 28, 1461, Edward goes back to London and is officially named the King of England (44-45). Margaret will not give up and she goes to France and builds up another army while gaining three of the most powerful castles in England. Edward is still too fast for her and attacks all three castles at the same time, winning the...