Blood red roses

A new book on the battle of Towton, edited by Dr Chris Knusel and Anthea Boylston from the University's Department of Archaeological Sciences is being launched to coincide with the 540th anniversary of the battle.

The book documents the first archaeological excavation of a mass grave from an English battlefield.

The study of the men recovered from the site, near Tadcaster, sparked a series of questions about life and death in medieval England.

The detailed forensic work which followed was the subject of a Channel Four programme in the popular 'Secrets of the Dead' series.

(Left to right) Anthea Boylston and Dr Chris Knusel with their new book

Dr Knusel said; "The individuals had clearly suffered traumatic deaths and our investigation showed that they had often received multiple wounds before and after death."

Their book publishes the excavation reports and subsequent research, revealing information about how and in what circumstances the men died, their fighting techniques and the weapons and armour used. It also contributes to our knowledge of medieval warfare.

The team will launch the book on Palm Sunday at the Crooked Billet public house at Saxton and the Rockingham Arms at Towton from 11am.

The volume 'Blood Red Roses: The Archaeology of a Mass Grave from Towton AD1461', is available from Waterstones Bookshop priced £30.00 hardback.

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