The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars fought in England between supporters of two rival branches of the royal house of Plantagenet, the houses of Lancaster and York. The first battle took place at St Albans in May 1455, as Richard, Duke of York, challenged the weak government of the mentally unstable Henry VI. Over the next three decades the crown passed between Henry VI, the Yorkist Edward IV, and later Richard III, and many nobles died in the fighting. Henry Tudor, a Lancastrian claimant, defeated and killed Richard at Bosworth in 1485, became Henry VII and married Elizabeth of York. The last major battle was Stoke Field in 1487. The name Wars of the Roses was popularised by writers of the nineteenth century, long after the events.
Before and after
- from 6 April 1453 to 29 May 1453Fall of Constantinople
- from 1454 to 1466Thirteen Years' War
- 9 March 1454Birth of Amerigo Vespucci
- 1455Construction of Grand Bazaar
- from 22 May 1455 to 16 June 1487Wars of the Roses
- from 4 July 1456 to 22 July 1456Siege of Belgrade
- 28 January 1457Birth of Henry VII of England
- c. 1458Construction of Palazzo Pitti
- 2 March 1459Birth of Adrian VI
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1095 to 1291Crusades
- 1206Temujin is proclaimed Genghis Khan
- 1212Children's Crusade
- from 18 July 1270 to 30 October 1270Eighth Crusade
- 30 March 1282Sicilian Vespers
- from 24 May 1337 to 9 October 1453Hundred Years' War
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 15th century.