Wars Of The Roses Flashcards
When did it start and end?
1455-1485
What houses was it between?
House of Lancaster (red rose) and House of York (white rose)
What were the 5 major causes?
- Both houses direct descendants of King Edward III
- Civil unrest
- Many powerful lords had private armies
- Ruling Lancastrian King (Henry VI) surrounded self with unpopular nobles
-Henry VI mental illness
How did it end?
Richard III (Yorkist King) was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 by Henry Tudor (founded of house of Tudor)
How did Henry VI cause it?
He had a string of mental health issues, including catatonic schizophrenia so he could not control the nobles, allowing his wife Margaret of Anjou to take control.
How did Richard III become King?
Eliminated possible hiers to Edward IV by taking his sons (Edward V into custody and gaining possession of Richard Duke of York)
When did the Battle of Bosworth take place?
22nd August 1485
How big was Henry’s army?
~5000
Who were the Stanleys? (Stanley brothers)
•Lord Stanley (Henry’s Stepfather) and his brother Sir William Stanley
•Positioned on the North end of the battle with 4000 men
•Reluctant to support Richard as Richard had taken Lord Stanley’s son hostage to ensure loyalty)
•Eventually fought for Henry’s side after Henry began losing the battle
Consequences of the Battle of Bosworth?
•Richard III killed
•Nobles lost some respect for Henry VII as he paraded Richard’s dead, naked body around
•Henry became King, but had little working knowledge of England due to being raised in France plus very few people knew him
