AT Sandal on 30th December, 1460, Richard rashly left the safety of his castle and engaged the enemy, losing two thousand men.

He was taken prisoner, and Margaret’s men sat him upon an ant-hill, twisted grass for a crown, and mocked him. Then they beheaded him.

His young son Edward, Earl of March, still held King Henry as his captive, and joined with Richard Neville to avenge his father. On 17th February, 1461 they met Margaret’s forces again at St Albans, but this time the Yorkists were defeated, and the King was restored to his family.

Yet Edward judged that Margaret and her unhappy husband had forfeited the country’s love.

He continued to London, where the Bishop of Exeter asked a crowd gathered in Clerkenwell whether they would have Henry for their King. ‘No, no!’ they cried, ‘King Edward! King Edward!’

And where Richard of York had briefly laid a trembling hand, his son took his seat as Edward IV of England.