The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne. On March 4, 1461, following a series of confrontations and shifting allegiances, Edward IV of the House of York emerged victorious over the Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Towton, which occurred shortly before this date. This battle was fought under extreme weather conditions, with blizzards and strong winds affecting visibility and tactics, yet it became one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the conflict. The defeat of Henry VI's forces led to his eventual deposition and cemented Edward's reign as the new king of England. Edward IV's rise to power was marked by strategic military engagements and the support from key allies, which allowed him to capitalize on the Lancastrian weaknesses created by internal divisions. The significance of this event lay in its alteration of the political landscape of England, as York gained dominance, pushing the Lancastrians to the periphery of political power. The consequences of this shift would reverberate throughout the subsequent years of the Wars of the Roses, resulting in cycles of retribution, intrigue, and further conflict, ultimately culminating in the rise of the Tudor dynasty decades later.