Western History 92: What was the War of the Roses? How did it lead to the emergence of Tudor Power?

The War of the Roses was a series of civil war fought in medieval England between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. The War had its origin in the politics of the late 14^th century but is more defined by the period 1455-1485. It set the stage for the rise of the Tudors and the emergence of England as a regional and later global power.

Key Dates in the lead up to and the war itself

1377 – Death of Edward III. He is succeeded to the throne by Richard II the son of Edward the Black Prince the Eldest son of Edward III who had dies a year earlier. Edward’s four surviving sons contest succession. Richard is only ten years old. One of Edward’s sons, John of Gaunt, represents the House of Lancaster. Another Edmund represents the House of York.

1377-1399 – The Reign of Richard II was a very  turbulent time in England. He faced a Peasant Revolt and challenges by his uncles. He changed his heir several times. In 1399 he was overthrown.

1399 - Henry IV (Bolingbroke) the son of John of Gaunt retuned to England to take the throne in the name of the House of Lancaster. He would rule until 1413 but his reign faced several rebellions as well. These include the Welsh uprising by Owain Glyndŵr, the Percy Rebellion (leading to the defeat of Henry “Hotspur” Percy at the Battle of Shrewsbury and the failed rebellion of the Archbishop of York, Richard Le Scope.

1413 – Henry V, son of Henry IV took over. The new Henry was famous for his victory over the French at Agincourt. However he dies prematurely in 1422 and was succeeded by his infant son Henry VI.

1422 – 1460 (official coronation 1429)  and Henry’s reign saw a return to turbulence. He suffered from mental breakdowns and was often seen as shy and timid. His spouse Margaret of Anjou (whom he married in 1445) would play a pivotal role in the politics of his later reign. It was also during Henry’s reign that the House of York would assert themselves beginning the formal period of the War of the Roses.

By 1453 the French had the upper hand in the Hundred Years War with English possessions in France being reduced to Calais. Henry’s forces would be defeated by that of Edward IV  - the son of his cousin Richard of York. Edward ruled between 1460 and 1470 while Henry went first into exile and then would be imprisoned on the Tower of London Henry would return to rule briefly between 1470 and 1471 but Yorkist victories at Barnet and Tewkesbury restored Yorkist power, This is often taken as the end of Phase One of the War.

1471- 1485 – Edward IV and later his brother Richard III would rule between this period with the latter taking the throne under dubious conditions at the expense of his nephews.

1485 – The soon to be Henry VII who has merged the banners of Lancaster and York (he married Elizabeth of York) defeated Richard III’s forces at the Battle of Bosworth Field and establishes the House of Tudor that would rule England until the early 17^th century. Henry’s victory brought to an end Phase Two of the War of the Roses. Tudor Supremacy in England would be a reality until the early 17^th century.

                                                                   Richard III

                                                                       Henry VII