Why did the houses of Lancaster and York tear England apart for thirty years?
In short: The Wars of the Roses were a brutal era of dynastic civil war that shattered the English nobility. This documentary explores the complex web of intrigue and political instability that culminated in the First Battle of Saint Albans in 1455.
The conflict stemmed from competing claims to the English throne by the houses of Lancaster and York, both tracing their lineage to Edward III. While the Lancastrians had held power since 1399, the reign of Henry VI descended into near anarchy. When Henry suffered a bout of madness in 1453, the duke of York was named protector, only for Henry to reclaim his authority in 1455, triggering open warfare.
The struggle persisted for three decades, marked by shifting power dynamics. Edward IV took the throne in 1461, followed by the murder of Henry VI in 1471. The conflict reached a turning point in 1483 when Richard III seized the crown from his nephew, Edward V, causing significant internal dissent. The wars finally concluded when Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field and united the warring houses through marriage.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Causes Of The Wars Of The Roses Explained
- Also: Causes of the Wars of the Roses | Britannica
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