It is well known, that cannons and other firearms were used in the wars of York and Lancaster; and there is not any reason to doubt that they were used at the battle of Towton; yet it is remarkable that the fact is not noticed by any ancient writer. Guns of some kind or other, appear to have been used in the following instances in the field (exclusive of sieges) during those wars: viz., in 1455, at the first battle of St. Alban’s; {116b} in 1459, at the encampment of the Yorkists at Ludford in Herefordshire; {116b} in 1460, at the battle of Northampton; {116c} in 1469, at the battle near Hornfield, Lincolnshire, often called the Battle of Lose Coat Field; {116d} in 1471, on the landing of Edward IV. at Ravenspur; {116e} in 1471, at the battle of Barnet; {116f} again in 1471, at the battle of Tewkesbury; {116g} in 1485, at the battle of Bosworth; {116h} and in 1487, at the battle of Stoke. {116i} It can scarcely excite surprise, at the chroniclers and annalists not having mentioned cannons, as having been used at the battle of Towton, when it is borne in mind, that they do not make the slightest mention of cavalry having been employed there; although it is certain, that in both armies there must have been large bodies of cavalry engaged at that battle. The honour of bearing Edward IV.’s standard, of the Black Bull, at the battle of Towton, devolved upon Ralph Vestynden, afterwards one of the yeomen of the chamber, who had for his services, at the battle, an annuity of £10, granted to him “yerely unto the tyme he be rewarded by us of an office.” {117a} Besides having been borne upon Edward’s standard at that battle, “the Bull sable, corned and hoofed, or,” was also used on other occasions by Edward IV., and others of the House of York, in consequence of its having been a cognizance or device of the Clares (Earls of Gloucester), from whom the House of York was descended. {117b} Henry VI., Queen Margaret, and Edward Prince of Wales, were at York during the battle of Towton; and on hearing of its disastrous result, they fled northward with the Duke of Exeter, the Duke of Somerset, Lord Roos, and Lord Hungerford, {118a} and at first repaired to Berwick, and from thence to Scotland, where Henry purchased the protection and assistance of the King of Scotland, by the surrender of Berwick. Edward IV. was received on the day after the battle into York, with processions and great solemnity, the mayor and commonalty having sued for grace, and having obtained it from the King, through the mediation {118b} of Lord Montague {118c} and Lord Berners. {118d} King Edward, on hearing of the flight of Henry VI., and the other personages, northward, immediately despatched a body of light cavalry, in pursuit of them, but too late to overtake them. Edward remained at York sufficiently long to celebrate the festival of Easter there, and then went to Durham, and, after taking measures for the pacification of the northern parts, proceeded to London.