Wars of the Roses

Quick Facts: Who was Wars of the Roses?

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Wars of the Roses

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A series of English civil wars (1455–1487) fought for the English throne between York and Lancaster.

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Origins & Early Life

The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in the following centuries as the Civil Wars, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The conflict was fought between supporters of the House of York (whose emblem was a white rose) and the House of Lancaster (whose emblem, by 1485, was a red rose), two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet. The conflict resulted in the end of Lancaster's male line in 1471, leaving the Tudor family to inherit, through the female line, the Lancaster claim to the throne. The conflict was largely brought to an end upon the union of the two houses through marriage, creating the Tudor dynasty that would subsequently rule England. The Wars of the Roses were rooted in English socio-economic troubles caused by the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) with France, as well as the quasi-military bastard feudalism resulting from the powerful duchies created by King Edward III (died 1377).

Career & Major Achievements

The mental instability of the House of Lancaster's King Henry VI (first reign: 1422 to 1461) revived his cousin Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York's interest in a claim to the throne. Warfare began in 1455 with York's capture of Henry at the First Battle of St Albans, upon which York was appointed Lord Protector by Parliament. Fighting resumed four years later when Yorkists led by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, captured Henry again, at the Battle of Northampton. After attempting to seize the throne, York was killed at the Battle of Wakefield, and his son Edward inherited his claim per the controversial Act of Accord. The Yorkists lost custody of Henry in 1461 after the Second Battle of St Albans, but defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Yorkist Edward IV was formally crowned in June 1461. In 1464, Edward married Elizabeth Woodville against Warwick's advice, and reversed Warwick's policy of seeking closer ties with France. Warwick rebelled against Edward in 1469, leading to Edward's imprisonment after Warwick's supporters defeated a Yorkist army at the Battle of Edgcote. Edward was allowed to resume his rule after Warwick failed to replace him with Edward's brother George of Clarence. Within a year, Warwick launched an invasion of England alongside Henry VI's wife, Margaret of Anjou.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1337: 1337 Milestone — The Wars of the Roses were rooted in English socio-economic troubles caused by the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) with France, as well as the quasi-military bastard feudalism resulting from the powerful duchies created by King Edward III (died 1377).
2. 1422: 1422 Milestone — The mental instability of the House of Lancaster's King Henry VI (first reign: 1422 to 1461) revived his cousin Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York's interest in a claim to the throne.
3. 1455: 1455 Milestone — The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in the following centuries as the Civil Wars, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487.
4. 1461: 1461 Milestone — The Yorkists lost custody of Henry in 1461 after the Second Battle of St Albans, but defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton.
5. 1464: 1464 Milestone — In 1464, Edward married Elizabeth Woodville against Warwick's advice, and reversed Warwick's policy of seeking closer ties with France.
6. 1469: 1469 Milestone — Warwick rebelled against Edward in 1469, leading to Edward's imprisonment after Warwick's supporters defeated a Yorkist army at the Battle of Edgcote.
7. 1471: 1471 Milestone — The conflict resulted in the end of Lancaster's male line in 1471, leaving the Tudor family to inherit, through the female line, the Lancaster claim to the throne.
8. 1485: 1485 Milestone — The conflict was fought between supporters of the House of York (whose emblem was a white rose) and the House of Lancaster (whose emblem, by 1485, was a red rose), two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Wars of the Roses

True or False: “The red rose symbol was used by supporters of the House of Lancaster from the very beginning of the conflict in 1455.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text states that the red rose of Lancaster was introduced only after Henry Tudor's victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Albrecht Dürer — Historical peer (Born in 1471) (1471): Master of the German Renaissance, renowned painter, printmaker, and theorist.
• Emperor Go-Hanazono — Historical peer (Died in 1471) (1471): The 102nd Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1428 to 1464 during a period of political upheaval.
• Giotto — Historical peer (Died in 1337) (1337): Pioneering Italian painter and architect who bridged the Gothic and Early Renaissance styles.
• Jean Froissart — Historical peer (Born in 1337) (1337): Master court historian whose Chronicles chronicled the chivalric age of France and England.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wars of the Roses