Wars of the Roses

Series of civil wars in England (1455–1487)

War & ConflictPolitics & Government

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Overview

What happened

1455: Richard, Duke of York, defeats King Henry VI at St Albans, England, with 100 men killed, sparking the Wars of the Roses.

Date

May 22, 1455

Location

St Albans, England

Key people

Richard, Duke of York, King Henry VI

Why it matters

This article provides a detailed and nuanced account of the First Battle of St Albans, drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources, including the accounts of contemporary chr...

What was Wars of the Roses?

The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The conflict was fought between supporters of the House of Lancaster (whose emblem was a red rose) and House of York (a white rose), two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet. The conflict resulted in the end of Lancaster's male line in 1471, leaving the Tudor family to inherit, through the female line, the Lancaster claim to the throne. Conflict was largely brought to an end upon the union of the two houses through marriage, creating the Tudor dynasty that would subsequently rule England.

Background and consequences

The Wars of the Roses were rooted in English socio-economic troubles caused by the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) with France, as well as the quasi-military bastard feudalism resulting from the powerful duchies created by King Edward III. The mental instability of King Henry VI of the House of Lancaster revived his cousin Richard, Duke of York's interest in a claim to the throne.

Related on thisDay

Richard, Duke of York, Strikes Down King Henry VI — May 22, 1455

100 men killed: Richard, Duke of York, defeats King Henry VI in St Albans, England, in 1455, sparking the Wars of the Roses.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: Richard, Duke of York, Strikes Down King Henry VI — May 22, 1455 Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“Wars of the Roses.” thisDay, thisday.info/history/wars-of-the-roses/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

APA

Wars of the Roses. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/history/wars-of-the-roses/

Chicago

“Wars of the Roses.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/history/wars-of-the-roses/.

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