The Wars of the Roses
History: KS3, topic 1.8.4
The Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses took place between 1455 and 1487 AD. These battles were between two powerful families, Lancaster and York, who both wanted to rule England.
Plantagenet family
- The Wars of the Roses is one of the most famous conflicts in English history.
- The Wars of the Roses was a fight between two branches of the royal Plantagenet family.
- The two branches were the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
Key figures
- The Wars of the Roses began in 1455 AD and lasted for over 30 years.
- Both the House of Lancaster and the House of York wanted to take the English throne.
- Important people in this conflict were:
- Henry VI from the House of Lancaster
- Edward IV from the House of York
Battle of Towton in 1461
- The Wars of the Roses included many battles.
- These battles were often very bloody.
- One of the most famous battles was the Battle of Towton in 1461 AD.
- Henry VI was removed from power twice. When Henry VI was deposed, Edward IV took the throne.
Henry Tudor
- The Wars of the Roses ended with the rise of Henry Tudor.
- Henry Tudor became King Henry VII.
- Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 AD.
- After winning, Henry Tudor united the two families by marrying Elizabeth of York.
- Henry Tudor started the Tudor dynasty.
Test yourself on The Wars of the Roses
Who were the key figures in Wars of Roses?
When did the Wars of the Roses took place?