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Why was the Battle of Towton important in the Wars of the Roses?

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Wars of the Roses Illustration depicting the Battle of Bosworth Field, with King Richard III on the white horse.

The Battle of Towton, fought on March 29, 1461, was a pivotal event in the Wars of the Roses for several key reasons:

Secured the Throne: It resulted in a decisive victory for Edward IV, effectively securing his position as king against his Lancastrian rivals. Following the battle, the Lancastrian leadership—Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou, and their son—were forced to flee to Scotland.12
Scale and Intensity: It stands as the largest and bloodiest battle of the entire conflict. The number of soldiers engaged and the casualties suffered far exceeded those of any other engagement during the wars.1
End of the First Phase: The Yorkist triumph at Towton brought the first phase of the civil war to a close, allowing Edward IV to consolidate his rule and reduce remaining pockets of Lancastrian resistance.2

The battle was characterized by brutal conditions, including a 10-hour fight in a severe snowstorm, which ultimately turned in favor of the Yorkists following the arrival of reinforcements.1