Wars of the Roses

Wars of the Roses

Wars of the Roses a series of medieval wars to decide the kings of England.

Understand

Series of wars for the English Crown between two Royal houses: the House of York 17px (supported by the House of Tudor) and House of Lancaster 17px 1455-1485.

They are the main inspiration for George R. R. Martin's fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, which in turn inspired the television series Game of Thrones.

The Wars of the Roses ended in 1487 with the House of Tudor ascending to the throne, heralding the Tudor Renaissance. The end of the war is seen as the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the early modern era.

Prepare

Get in

Preferably on horseback mounted on your destrier, with the aim of capturing the City of London.

Go

Battlefields (chronological)

<sub>The Rose after the battle's date shows the winning side.</sub>

Henry VI of Lancester 17px Reign 1422-1461

First Battle of St Albans (1455 17px), 51.75035°, -0.33747°. Beginning the Wars of the Roses. Richard of York captured Henry VI

Battle of Blore Heath (1459 17px).

Battle of Ludford Bridge (1459 17px), 52.36373°, -2.71722°.

Battle of Northampton (1460 17px), 52.2201°, -0.8932°.

Battle of Wakefield (1460 17px), 53.68027°, -1.49222 °.

Edward IV of York 17px first reign 1461-1470

Battle of Mortimer's Cross (1461 17px), 52.318°, -2.869 °.

17px Second Battle of St Albans (_1461 17px _).

Battle of Towton (1461 17px), 53.836°, -1.274°.

Battle of Hexham (1464 17px), 54.97°, -2.1 °.

Battle of Edgcote (_1469 17px _), 52.1144°, -1.24722 °. A rebel victory, against a royal army handing power to the Earl of Warwick [who was not there].

Battle of Losecoat Field (1470 17px), 52.6861°, - -0.53611 °.

Warwick entered London in triumph and freed Henry VI from the Tower on 6 October 1470.

King Edward IV of York 17px returned to reign 1471-1483

Battle of Barnet (1471 17px), 51.662°, -0.2°. Warwick died in the battle in the fog allowing Edward IV to march into the City of London

Battle of Tewkesbury (1471 17px), 51.987232°, -2.15916°.

Henry VII Tudor of York Won 1485-1509

Battle of Bosworth Field (1485 17px), 52.57682°, -1.440213°. where King Richard III of York 17px 1483-1485 was slain. 2022-12-31

Fortified Castles and Towns

Tower of London (1460 17px), 51.5081°, -0.0762°, visitorservices_TOL@hrp.org.uk. Besieged in 1460. The Lancastrian garrison were starved into surrender. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. £25

Harlech Castle (Welsh: Castell Harlech 1461-8 17px), Harlech, LL46 2YH, 52.85996°, -4.10913°. Held by Lancastrian forces 1461-7. Jasper Tudor 17px landed French reinforcements there. It was captured by the Yorkists 1468 .

Pembroke Castle, Pembroke, SA71 4LE, 51.67709°, -4.92097°. The birthplace of King Henry VII 17px. £8.50

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See also