Wakefield, battle of

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Wakefield, battle of, 1460. The Yorkist victory at Northampton in the summer of 1460 had put Henry VI in the power of Richard, duke of York. In October a reconciliation was effected, whereby Henry continued as monarch but recognized York as his heir. Queen Margaret refused to accept this and raised troops in the north. York and Warwick's father Salisbury marched to meet her but were routed on 30 December at Wakefield, just outside York's castle of Sandal. Salisbury and York were executed after the battle, the latter's head being exhibited on the walls of the city of York, wearing a paper crown.

J. A. Cannon