Key Information
Wars of the Roses
| Type | Wars over the Succession of the English Throne |
| Time Period | May 22, 1455 to June 16, 1487 |
| Leaders of the House of Lancaster | Henry VI, Henry VII, Margaret of Anjou |
| Leaders of the House of York | Richard Duke of York, Edward IV, Edward 5, Richard III |
Learning Point
- The Wars of the Roses was a series of battles fought in England between two royal families, the House of Lancaster and the House of York, who were both fighting to be the kings of England. The Lancasters used a red rose as their symbol, and the Yorks used a white rose. The war lasted for a long time until a new leader, Henry Tudor, won the final battle. He ended the fighting by marrying a princess from the other family, bringing the two sides together and creating a new symbol for the kingdom, the Tudor rose, which combined the red and white roses.
Project
- Draw the main people involved in the Wars of the Roses
- Overview
- Roses of the Wars
York Rose
Lancaster Rose
Tudor Rose
Location
| Located in | Britain and France |
Fun Facts
- The name “Wars of the Roses” comes from the symbols of the two rival families, the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose).
- The two fighting families were actually cousins, both from the royal House of Plantagenet, and they were fighting over who should be the King of England.
- The main fighting lasted for about 30 years, from 1455 to 1487.
- Henry Tudor married a princess from the rival family, Elizabeth of York, to unite the two sides and finally bring the war to an end.
Past Lessons
| 176 | August 27, 2025 | (North America) |