In-Depth Notes on the Wars of the Roses and Medieval Political Structure

Committee: United Nations Historical Committee (UNHC)
Topic: The Wars of the Roses: A Fight for the Throne
Structure: Crisis Debate

I. Introduction to Medieval Politics

  • Social Structure: Society has three main groups:

    • Nobility (including the King)

    • Church leaders

    • Common people (peasants)

  • Noble Powers: Nobles can collect taxes, lead armies, own lands, and have political influence.

  • Monarch's Role: Considered the most important among equals.

    • Claim to the throne based on nine important points:

      • family lineage

      • seniority

      • nobility

      • legitimacy

      • goodness

      • marriage ties

      • preference for males

      • support from nobles

      • past acceptance as heir.

II. Historical Context: The Wars of the Roses

  • Time Period: 1455-1487; conflicts between two families: the Lancasters (red rose) and the Yorks (white rose).

  • Importance: The wars ended the Plantagenet Dynasty and started the Tudor Dynasty, leading to less feudalism and a stronger central government.

  • Key Events:

    • Edward the Black Prince dies in 1376, causing a fight over who should rule.

    • Richard II becomes king (1377–1399), but fights with others, and Henry IV takes the throne.

    • In the 1450s, King Henry VI's mental health gets worse, making it easier for Richard of York to push his claim to power.

III. Crisis Debate Structure

  • Participants act as representatives, debating who should be King in meetings.

  • Debate Sessions Outline:

    1. Loyalties during the war (1461-1471)

    2. Who wants to be King (1471-1483)

    3. Are claimants legitimate? (1483-1485)

    4. Choosing the King (1485)

  • Voting Sessions:

    • Three times to vote on loyalties and claimants.

IV. Succession Crisis, Characters & Factions

  • Factions:

    • Lancaster: Their claim comes from John of Gaunt. Henry VI is their king, backed by his wife Margaret and their son Edward.

    • York: Their claim comes from Edward III’s other sons. Led first by Richard of York, then Edward IV, they argue Henry VI shouldn't be king.

  • Key Characters:

    Lancaster Characters:

    • Henry VI: King who is mentally unstable.

    • Margaret of Anjou: Has strong political influence.

    • Edward of Westminster: Their son.

    York Characters:

    • Edward IV: Becomes King after defeating Lancaster.

    • Richard Neville: Political influencer known as the Kingmaker.

V. Parliamentary Acts – Simple Rules

  • During a Parliament session, anyone can propose a Parliamentary Act — these are special moves that change the flow of debate. Each House (York and Lancaster) can use up to 2 Acts per session. Once an Act is passed, it can’t be used againin that session.

    There’s no specific order to propose Acts. To start one, a rep asks the Lord Speaker (the moderator) for a “Motion to vote a Parliamentary Act.” The Act is passed if it gets a majority vote in one House (York or Lancaster). Then, the rep explains which Act they’re calling and why.

    Each Act has effects, risks, and unique rules:

  • Justitia
    Accuse someone of treason, corruption, or abuse of power.

    • Anyone can call it.

    • Name the target before the vote.

    • Needs majority vote in one House.

    • Effect: Target is "jailed" in the Tower and loses their voting right for that session. (They can still speak normally.)

    • Limit: Only once per person.

  • Lex Regia
    Free someone jailed by Justitia.

    • Only after a Justitia.

    • Needs majority vote in one House.

    • Effect: Target is freed. The House that called Justitia is labeled “Cruel and Unjust.”

  • Auctoritas
    Make someone’s claim to the Throne official.

    • Anyone can call it.

    • Name a beneficiary (not a Bishop).

    • Needs majority vote in the full Quorum.

    • Effect:

      • +1 extra vote to the caller’s House/faction.

      • The chosen person becomes an official claimant.

      • They're branded a Tyrant (bad rep).

  • Manu Militari
    Cancel an Auctoritas Act by declaring war.

    • Only after an Auctoritas.

    • Needs majority vote in one House + 1 Duke/Duchess + 1 Count/Countess.

    • Effect: Auctoritas is canceled. The caller’s House is branded Warmongers.

  • Potestas
    Ban any unused Parliamentary Act.

    • Choose an unused Act.

    • Needs majority vote in one House.

    • Effect: The Act is banned for the session. Caller’s House is branded Corrupt.

  • Irruptio
    Break into Parliament and cancel a Potestas.

    • Only after a Potestas.

    • Needs majority vote in one House + 1 Duke/Duchess + 1 Count/Countess.

    • Effect: Potestas is canceled. Caller’s House is branded Dishonorable.

  • Tributum
    Raise taxes on the Commoners.

    • Needs majority vote in full Quorum.

    • Effect:

      • Doesn’t count toward the 2 Act limit.

      • Caller’s House gets +1 extra Act.

      • But the people hate them.

    • Limit: Can’t use if the House already did Liberalitas.

  • Privilegium
    Clear someone’s name.

    • Name a beneficiary.

    • Needs majority vote in full Quorum.

    • Effect:

      • Wipes out bad rep (except Excommunicatio).

      • If they had Auctoritas, it can't be canceled anymore.

      • Their House gets support from NPC lords.

  • Liberalitas
    Give charity to gain love of the people.

    • Can’t be used if House did Tributum.

    • Needs majority vote in one House.

    • Effect:

      • House is seen as Virtuous and Loved.

      • Makes Tributum users look worse.

  • Benedictio
    Ask Church to bless someone’s claim to the Throne.

    • Only a Bishop can call it.

    • Name the beneficiary.

    • Needs majority vote in full Quorum.

    • Effect:

      • Target is seen as a Holy Christian.

      • Can’t be targeted by Excommunicatio.

  • Nullitas Matrimonii
    Cancel an engagement.

    • Only a Bishop can call it.

    • Name the couple.

    • Needs majority vote in full Quorum.

    • Effect: Betrothal canceled. Only works before a wedding.

  • Excommunicatio
    Get the Pope to accuse someone of being a bad Christian.

    • Only a Bishop can call it.

    • Name the target.

    • Needs majority vote in full Quorum + both Bishops.

    • Effect:

      • Target is under Church investigation.

      • Seen as Unfaithful.

      • If a pretender, they can’t be voted for.

    • Limit: Can’t use if target had Benedictio.

  • Conspiratio (only during unmoderated debate)
    Form a secret plot against someone.

    • Only once per person.

    • Only during unmoderated debate.

    • Secret ballot vote.

    • If half +2 of Quorum votes against a person → they lose their vote next round.

    • Effect: They can still speak, just not vote.

VII. Glossary

  • NPC (Non-Playable Character)

    • A background character that no one plays directly. You can interact with or target them in Acts, but they don’t vote or speak. Examples: Henry VI, background nobles, the Pope, etc.

  • Rep (Representative)

    • You and all the other players. Each rep plays a noble with a title and represents a House (Lancaster or York).

  • Bishop

    • A high-ranking Church official. Only Bishops can use certain Acts like Benedictio, Excommunicatio, or Nullitas Matrimonii. They cannot claim the Throne.

  • Pretender

    • Someone who isn’t the current Monarch but argues they have the right to the Throne.

  • Unfaithful

    • A person accused of being a bad Christian. If Excommunicated, they lose spiritual legitimacy and can’t be voted for (if they’re a pretender).

  • Betrothal

    • An arranged marriage (not yet official). These are used for alliances. Can be canceled by Nullitas Matrimonii.

  • House

    • Your team: either Lancaster or York. All reps belong to one House and can only use 2 Acts per session (unless Tributum is passed).

  • Tributum

    • A Parliamentary Act that raises taxes on the Commoners. Gives your House +1 extra Act (so 3 total), but makes your House super unpopular.

  • Commoners

    • The regular people of the Realm. They don’t vote, but their love or hate affects how strong your arguments are.

  • Beneficiary

    • The person who benefits from an Act. Could be you, another rep, or even an NPC. You must name them when calling certain Acts.

  • Noble

    • Someone from the upper class: Duke, Count, Baron, etc. Every rep is a noble.

  • Self

    • Means you can name yourself as the target or beneficiary of certain Acts like Auctoritas or Privilegium.

  • Warmongers

    • A negative label for a House that uses Manu Militari. It means they’re seen as violent and aggressive.

  • Tyrant

    • A label given to someone who claims the Throne through Auctoritas. They get political power but are now seen as power-hungry or dangerous.

VII. Summary
The Wars of the Roses were a major conflict in Medieval England from 1455 to 1487, involving the Lancaster and York families who fought for power. This time showed a monarchy influenced heavily by nobles who held significant power. The debate allows noble representatives to argue their claims based on family history and legitimacy. Key figures like Henry VI, who suffered madness, and Edward IV, who eventually won, illustrate this struggle. The debate aims to identify the rightful King based on family ties and historical arguments. It shaped the understandings of legitimacy and the challenges of ruling during that era.