HOUSE OF LANCASTER 1399-1461

WARS OF THE ROSES

• • • Struggles for the English Crown lasting during the time between the reigns of Richard II (last Angevin; deposed by cousin and Parliament) and Henry VII (of the Lancaster family; first Tudor) Between 2 rival families—Lancasters (red rose) and Yorks (white rose) Claims of Lancaster and York united with the marriage of Henry VII to Elizabeth of York; end of dynastic warfare.

HENRY IV (House of Lancaster) r. 1399 - 1413 • • • First Lancaster king “Reign of Rebellion” – Richard II’s half brothers – Dukes – Archbishops Felt remorse for how he had treated Richard.

HENRY V r. 1413 - 1422 • • • • Son of Henry IV Renewed Hundred Years War – Attention diverted from internal discord – Supported by Parliament Battle at Agincourt (1415)—precursor to Treaty of Troyes, which gave the French princess in marriage to Henry and a superior claim to the French throne.

Could have been crowned King of France had he lived longer.

HENRY VI r. 1422 – 1461(Deposed) r. 1470 – 1471 (Restored- then murdered) • • • • • King at 9 months! (uncles and cousins reigned for first 20 years) Hundred Years’ War continued…France had Joan of Arc, English lost Last of the Lancasters Armed (firearms) conflict in War of the Roses becomes more acute.

Gov’t was too weak to control the nobles – Disastrous results for Henry Lancaster Rose

HOUSE OF YORK 1461-1485

EDWARD IV (House of York) r. 1461-1470 and 1471-1483 • • Was originally chosen as king by a council of peers, but then finally defeated Henry VI Lived off of the spoils taken from the supporters of the Lancasters.

Yorkshire Rose

EDWARD V April – June 1483 • • • Crowned at twelve, immediately sent to the tower by his uncle Richard, Duke of Glouster (brother of Edward IV who believed Edward V and his younger brother were illegitimate.) Edward and his younger brother were locked in the Tower of London (for their safety?), and were not seen again after several months.

Their disappearance is still a mystery, but is typically blamed on either Richard (uncle) or Henry Tudor.

RICHARD III r. 1483 - 1485 • • • • Last of the Yorks Ruthless with opponents Remembered most for his most likely role in the disappearance of his nephews.

Killed at Bosworth