Ferrybridge was a relativly small engagement, which could be said to be the opening engagement of the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil.

On March 28th 1461, after leading his army north the vanguard of Edward IV's army engaged a larger Lancastrian force at Ferrybridge; the Yorkists were forced to retreat and their leader, Lord Fitzwalter, was killed. However, later on that day the rest of the Yorkist army arrived to reinforce the vanguard and the Lancastrian army was forced to retreat with its commander (Lord Clifford) dead.