The First Battle of St Albans took place on May 22, 1455, marking the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the English throne. The battle was fought between the forces of the Lancastrians, loyal to King Henry VI, and the Yorkists, led by Richard, Duke of York. The Yorkists aimed to gain power and influence in the government. The battle occurred in the town of St Albans, where the Yorkists achieved a decisive victory. They captured King Henry VI, which significantly shifted the balance of power. This event set the stage for further conflicts between the two factions in the ongoing struggle for the English crown.