Wars Of The Roses

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

1453 - Begins at end of 100 Years War
(Hard to define when the Wars of the Roses ended, due to the conflicts such as rebellions and riots under Henry VII and Henry VIII could still be counted as part of the Wars of the Roses. It was also romanticised under Shakespeare.)
1327 - Families, York vs Lancaster - Both descended from Edward III (1st king in 100 Years War between England and France)
1377 - Richard II was the successor - but was seen as corrupt and weak and was overthrown by Henry IV (skips over a whole succession line) Yorkist claims this was illegitimate use of throne and should have gone to Duke of Clarence, (ancestor in house of York))
1413 - Henry V (Henry IV son) comes next, dies in 1422
1422 - Son Henry VI comes to throne at less than 1 year old. (Council of Aristocrats rule on Henry VI behalf, until 1445 when he is old enough and marries French Princess Anjou (later accused of dominating the King))
1450s - Sets stage for Wars of Roses
1449-1453 - England rapidly loses territory in France, (they had gained in 100 years’ war, only keep Calais.)
Jan 1450 - Duke of Suffolk blamed for losses (Henry VI principle adviser, is arrested -> impeached -> exiled -> captured -> beheaded.)
May 1450 - Cade’s Rebellion (Emerges in Kent, sparked by a rumour King would take revenge for Suffolk’s death in Kent, and leading man Cade (Irish man) orders small property owners against the crown who were also angered by high taxes. Rebellion is successful, royal army defeated in Kent and they execute royal treasurer in London. Moved quickly out, but bloody battle on London Bridge. Cade refers throughout to himself as John Mortimer (Aligning with Yorkist faction at court, led by Richard Duke of York (son of Anne Mortimer and part of Lionel passed over by Henry IV))
Richard Duke of York claim -> essentially superior to Henry VI claim
1450+ - Richard Duke of York and others sought influence in gov and make movements towards seizing power
1452 - Richard Duke of York seeks to be Henry VI’s heir
1453 - Henry VI more secure -> Anjou pregnant with heir, Richard defeated, Edmund Tudor (half-brother of Henry VI) is married to Margaret Beaufort (descended from Edward III)
August 1453 - Henry VI has mental breakdown and never fully recovers (brought on by news of defeat in France, 17 months he is incapacitated)
1453 - Henry VI son Edward is born (Henry does not acknowledge as unstable mentally)
Richard Duke of York takes over as lord protector for Henry VI and is backed by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick (Kingmaker)

Question 2

First War

Answer 2

1455 - Henry VI recovers and Duke of York takes up arms to protect himself
May 1455 - First battle takes place and York is restored to power
1459 - Uneasy truce when York rebels again (Henry goes back into illness and Margaret of Anjou takes over and defeats the Yorkists with help of Lancaster Army. Yorkists either stay tainted or flee)
1460 - Yorkists return and king is captured. (Duke of York takes the throne, as Henry VI heir rather than immediate king. Soon killed and son, Edward IV takes his place.)
1461 - Edward of York, son of Duke of York becomes Edward IV (Margaret, head of her army and Edward IV head of his own army, continue to clash until the remaining Lancastrians are defeated in this battle.)

Question 3

Second War

Answer 3

1464 - Edward IV marries Elizabeth Woodville (This is controversial -> Warwick allies with king’s brother Duke of Clarence and rebels against Edward IV -> Another war, Warwick and Clarence defeated and flee to France and join Margaret of Anjou w/ son and agree to restore Henry VI -> Warwick marries daughter to prince Edward and Clarence named heir after Edward.)
October 1470 - Invasion successful and Henry VI rules again
March 1471 - Edward IV returns and invades (He defeats Margaret’s army and Henry VI, son and Warwick killed in prison)
1483 - Edward IV rules until death

Question 4

Third War

Answer 4

1483 - Edward V (13) comes to throne with protector (king's uncle Duke of Gloucester (Third brother of Edward) is feared to be taking possession of the prince and is called Lord Protector due to unease of Queens side of family. -> Duke of Gloucester becomes Richard III)
1483 - Richard attempts to take power (postpones King's coronation -> cancels King's first gov -> takes throne and crowned on 6th July
Edward V and brother Richard disappear into tower 
Opposition of Richard's reign look for replacement -> Henry Tudor (Last of Lancaster's)
Revolts break out and support for Richard fade)
December 1483 - Henry gathers rebels who fled to Brittany (vows to marry Elizabeth of York (Daughter of Edward IV) -> rebels declare him as true king -> spends 2 years gathering support))
1485 - Henry Tudor sets out with English, Scottish and French troops 
August 1485 - Battle of Bosworth -> Henry and Richard III armies meet (Henry is winner and crowned on battlefield - This was not seen as decisicve at the time, of Henry taking the throne, rebellions continued but they are ignored as they are eager to class Battle of Bosworth as end of War of Roses)
September 1485 - Henry VII enters London

Wars of Roses is seen as lots of warfare and dynastic instability due to young, incapable heirs (Henry VI and Edward V)

List of Wars of Roses Monarchs w/ succession dates:

1) Edward III (1327-1377)
2) Richard II (1377-1399)
3) Henry IV (1399-1413)
4) Henry V (1413-1422)
5) Henry VI (1422-1453)
6) Edward IV (1461-1483)
7) Edward V (1483)
8) Richard III (1483-1485)
9) Henry VII (Start of TUDOR) (1485-1509)