#OTD in 1455 the War of the Roses began with the First Battle of St Albans. King Henry VI and his army held the town centre, and the Duke of York's army attacked from the east. Fierce fight took place on Sopwell Lane, the Yorkists attack here led by the Earl of Salisbury. 1/7
The lane was stoutly defended by Lord Clifford, with a large wooden bar thrown across it. Even now it's still quite a narrow lane with little room for manoeuvre. 2/7
Meanwhile York himself attempted to force his way up Shropshire Lane, now Victoria Street. Again the narrow lane and another bar blocked his attack. 3/7
St Albans was defended by the Tonman Ditch, of which small remnants of a bank can be seen in certain places like here in Keyfield. It was not a large earthwork, but enough to make attacks difficult. 4/7
Eventually, an attack was made through the town gardens by the young Earl of Warwick. They broke through here on Chequer Street (pic 1). The royalist defenders were outflanked and quickly defeated. The Duke of Somerset was killed fighting at the top of Shropshire Lane (pic 2) 5/7
The king himself was captured after his entourage was surprised and overwhelmed at the town marketplace, the royal standard falling to the ground. The battle was over and the Yorkists victorious. 6/7
The high profile casualties, including the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberland, and Lord Clifford, were buried in the Lady Chapel in St Albans Abbey. According to folklore the common soldiers were buried in St Peter's at the north of the town. 7/7
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