HISTORY EXTRA CREDIT

THE WAR OF ROSES

-NARENDRAN
 WHAT WERE THE WAR OF ROSES?

The Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) were a series of

civil wars fought over the throne of England between
the House of Lanchester and the House of York. Both
these Houses were decendent from King Edward the
Third.
 WHY WERE THEY CALLED SO?

The name 'Wars of the Roses' has
its origins in the badges
associated with the two houses,
the Red Rose of the House of
RED ROSE OF THE
HOUSE OF LANCASTER
Lancaster and the White Rose of
the House of York.

WHITE ROSE OF THE

HOUSE OF YORK
 THE HOUSE OF LANCASTER

The feud between the two houses began with the overthrow of
King Richard by Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, in 1399.
Henry Bolingbroke was crowned as Henry IV since King Richard
II's rule was unpopular. But soon revolt broke out in Wales,
Cheshire and Northumberland. Henry IV suppressed these revolts
with difficulty. Then in 1413 he died.
 THE HOUSE OF LANCASTER
(Continued)

After Henry IV's death his successor Henry V was

crowned. He led England against France in the
Hundred Years' War and gained immense popularity
which gave the Lacastarian more strength to hold on to
the throne.
 THE HOUSE OF YORK

During the rule of Henry V, one plot was led against him
by Richard, Earl of Cambridge. Cambridge failed and was
executed in 1415 for treson. Richard's son Richard, Duke
of York inherited York at the age of 4.

The was the beginner or founder of the House of York and

believed that the House of York had a stronger claim to the

throne.
 DEATH OF HENRY V

Henry V died in 1422 and Henry VI took over the

throne and the age of nine months. All the territories
won by Henry V during the Hundred Years' Wars were
all lost by Henry VI. He faced a lot of problems within
England.
 THE WARS OF THE ROSES

Henry the VI met Richard, Duke of York at London on

May 22nd , 1455. The field was called St. Albans. This
was the first War of the Roses. It was a disaster for the
Lacasterian House. The second battle though was
better. The battle of Blore Heath in Stafford on 23rd
September 1459 a large Lacasterian army defeated
York so badly that Edward fled to Ireland.
 OTHER BATTLES

Other than the first 2 battles the other battles between

the Houses were pretty insignificant.
BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON- 10th JULY 1460
BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD- 30th DECEMBER 1460
AND OTHERS