The Wars of the Roses Notes

Overview

1. The Wars of the Roses (1455–1487) were a series of civil wars in England between the houses of Lancaster and York
2. Both claimed the throne through descent from Edward III.
3. These wars were driven by
   1. Disputes over succession
   2. Weak royal leadership
   3. Economic hardship
   4. Powerful noble rivalries.

Causes

1. Both the Lancastrians and Yorkists had legitimate claims to the throne.
2. Henry VI’s mental health problems and inability to manage nobles created instability.
3. Overmighty subjects like Warwick the Kingmaker exploited political weakness for their own gain.
4. Losses in the Hundred Years’ War and financial mismanagement strained the crown’s resources.
5. Feuds between noble families led to private armies and open violence.

Events

1. First Phase (1455–1471)
   1. The First Battle of St Albans
   2. Major Yorkist victories at Towton and Barnet
   3. Death of Warwick
   4. Edward IV secures the throne.
2. Intermittent Peace (1471–1483)
   1. Edward IV’s reign saw stability until his death.
3. Final Phase (1483–1487)
   1. Richard III’s short reign
   2. Henry Tudor’s invasion,he Battle of Bosworth (1485) where Richard was killed.
4. Aftermath
   1. Henry VII’s victory ended the conflict and began the Tudor dynasty.

Impact on England

1. Weakened Nobility
   1. Many leading families were killed or lost power
   2. This allowed the Tudors to centralize authority.
2. Strengthened Monarchy
   1. Henry VII avoided overreliance on powerful nobles and built a more stable government.
3. Parliament’s Role
   1. Continued to grant taxes but was less central to royal authority after 1485.
4. Disruption to local communities due to shifting loyalties and destruction from battles.
5. Nobility became more dependent on royal favour than on independent power.
6. Short-term disruption to trade and agriculture during warfare.
7. Gradual recovery under Henry VII’s peace and stability.