On December 30, 1460, the Battle of Wakefield occurs in present-day West Yorkshire, England. Part of the Wars of the Roses, the Battle of Wakefield saw the forces of the House of Lancaster, led by nobility loyal to King Henry VI, pitted against the forces of the House of York led by Richard, Duke of York. Though he held a defensible position at Sandal Castle and was awaiting reinforcements, Richard sortied from the fortress on December 30th. Though explanations for such a rash move vary (such as deception as to the actual size of the Lancastrian force, violation of a Christmas truce, and simple foraging mission to secure supplies for Richard's forces), the end result is the same. The Yorkists were defeated and Richard was killed as was his son Edmund, Earl of Rutland. After the battle, the heads of Richard, Edmund, and their ally Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury were displayed on the southwestern gate of York's city walls. Despite Richard of York's death, the wars over England's crown continued until the Lancastrian victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, establishing the Tudor dynasty with Henry Tudor taking the throne as Henry VII.