Wars of the Roses | History, Family Tree, & Facts

An English civil war known as the Wars of the Roses was fought there. Although it lasted for just over 30 years, from 1455 to 1487, the wars were often brief and occasionally spaced years apart.

In the Wars of the Roses, who participated?

The House of Lancaster and the House of York, two rival houses vying for the English throne, engaged in combat during the Wars of the Roses.

What did Roses have to do with it?

The phrase “War of the Roses” refers to the two rival houses’ emblems, or badges: the House of Lancaster was symbolised by a red rose, while the House of York was symbolised by a white rose.

What started the war?

The causes of the wars were multifaceted. Both families asserted that they were descended from King Edward III and so entitled to the English crown. Henry VI, the reigning monarch, was mentally sick and receiving advice from dishonest and unpopular nobility, which didn’t help.

People from the Wars of the Roses

The Lancaster House

Henry VI –
Henry VI, the monarch at the outset of the conflict, suffered from mental illness. From the time he was born until his death, he was kept in the Tower of London.
Margaret of Anjou, Henry VI’s wife, seized power and spearheaded the fight against the tyrant’s foes.

Warwick’s Earl Richard Neville –
He supported the Yorks at the start of the conflict. Later, after becoming dissatisfied with Edward IV’s direction of the country, he switched sides.

House of York

Duke of York Richard
He started the war by overthrowing the Lancastrians and imprisoning Henry VI. He is the father of Edward IV and Richard III. As Lord Protector, he was.

Warwick’s Earl Richard Neville is mentioned above.

– Edward IV
Edward IV, the first York to ascend to the throne, ruled for the majority of the war from 1461 to 1470 and again from 1471 until 1483.

– Edward V
He was twelve years old when Edward IV, his father, passed away. Only a few months into his reign as king, he was transferred to the Tower of London and vanished.

King Richard III
He succeeded his nephew Edward V, who was his brother and Edward IV’s brother. Just over two years into his reign as king, he was killed in combat.

House of Tudor

William III –
Defeated Richard III in 1487, putting a stop to the Wars of the Roses. Founder of the Tudor family.

Facts worth knowing about the Wars of the Roses:

Over 50,000 soldiers participated in the Battle of Towton, one of the war’s biggest battles, and about 25,000 of them lost their lives.

Six feet four inches tall, Edward IV. For the period, this was extremely tall.
Both households were divisions of the Plantagenet royal House.

Some English nobility changed sides multiple times in an effort to ultimately be victorious.

During a number of the engagements, Margaret of Anjou commanded the Lancastrian army.

The Battle of Losecote Field received its name as a few losers removed their jackets to flee more quickly.

Timeline

1455 –
On May 22, 1455, the Battle of First St. Albans marks the start of the Wars of the Roses. Richard of York defeated Henry VI’s troops in this conflict. Richard executed King Henry VI and rose to the position of “Lord Protector” of England.

1460 –
On December 30, 1460, the Lancastrians triumph at the Battle of Wakefield. Killing of Richard of York.

1461 –
At the Battle of Towton, Edward IV, the son of Richard of York, triumphs over the Lancastrians. The coronation of Edward IV as king of England. Margaret the Queen flees to France.

1470 –
Queen Margaret and the Earl of Warwick form a partnership. They come back to England and install Henry VI as king.

1471 –
At the Battles of Tewksbury and Barnet, Edward IV assembles a new army and once more defeats the Lancastrians. Henry VI is delivered to the Tower of London, where he passes away in April 1471.

1483 –
When Edward IV passes away, his son Edward V, who is twelve, takes over as king. Richard III, his uncle, orders him to be transported to the Tower of London, where he vanishes from view. England’s new monarch is Richard III.

1485 –
On August 22, 1485, Henry Tudor defeats Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth. Henry is crowned king after the death of Richard III.

1487 –
At the Battle of Stoke Field, the House of Tudor, led by Henry VII, triumphs over the House of York. The Wars of the Roses are over as a result.