Which 1461 battle was fought the day before Towton?

The 1461 battle fought the day before Towton was the Battle of Ferrybridge.

Ferrybridge was a crucial crossing over the River Aire in Yorkshire. Yorkist forces supporting the newly proclaimed Edward IV rebuilt the bridge after Lancastrian troops damaged it. The Yorkist advance guard was then surprised by Lancastrian forces led by Lord Clifford.

The fighting was part of a rapid sequence of engagements before the main battle. Yorkist troops eventually crossed the river at a nearby ford, outflanked Clifford, and pursued the Lancastrians toward Dinting Dale. Clifford was killed by an arrow through the throat, reportedly after removing part of his armour so he could issue commands more easily.

The traditional dating places Ferrybridge on 28 March 1461 and Towton on 29 March. Some historians argue that the sources and archaeological evidence suggest the Ferrybridge, Dintingdale and Towton actions formed one continuous series of engagements, creating uncertainty over the precise date. That does not change Ferrybridge as the standard quiz answer.