QB Topic Deep Dives (War of the Roses) 10/25/24

Comprehensive Guide on the War of the Roses:

War of the Roses

Important Battles (need in depth knowledge)

Battle of Towton (1461) ***

  • Largest and bloodiest battle of the war

  • informally known as (Battle of Palme Sonday Felde)

  • Yorkist victory

  • fought on Palm Sunday

  • Yorkists found themselves heavily outnumbered, since part of their force under the Duke of Norfolk had yet to arrive

  • The Yorkist leader Lord Fauconberg turned the tables by ordering his archers to take advantage of the strong wind to outrange their enemies

  • Henry VI fled the nation leaving Edward IV (Duke of York)The Act of Accord, enacted in 1460 during the War of the Roses, declared Richard, Duke of York, as the legitimate heir to the English throne, sidelining King Henry VI and favoring York's claim.

Surface Level Battles

First Battle of St Albans (1455)

  1. First Battle of St Albans (1455) - First battle in the War of the Roses, resulting in a Lancastrian defeat.

    • It resulted in a Lancastrian defeat, as Yorkist forces, led by Richard, Duke of York, managed to secure a victory despite being outnumbered. This battle demonstrated the shifting power dynamics between the Yorkists and Lancastrians and set the stage for further conflicts in the civil war.

    • Background: The Battle marked the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the English throne, primarily between the houses of Lancaster and York.

    • Prelude: Tensions escalated between the Lancastrians, led by King Henry VI and Queen Margaret, and the Yorkists, led by Richard, Duke of York. The Yorkists sought to take control of the royal court due to the king's increasing instability and perceived favoritism toward the Lancastrian faction.

    • Forces: The Yorkist army consisted of approximately 3,000 troops, while the Lancastrians were estimated to have around 5,000.

    • Initial Movements: The Yorkists advanced toward St Albans and positioned themselves strategically on higher ground to take advantage of the terrain.

    • Attack: Early in the morning, Yorkist forces launched a surprise attack on Lancastrian troops, creating confusion among their ranks. The Yorkists exploited the element of surprise and aggressively charged into the enemy.

    • Key Engagements: The battle featured fierce fighting in the streets of St Albans as the Yorkists engaged Lancastrian soldiers. The fighting was marked by close combat and brutal hand-to-hand clashes.

    • Turning Point: The combination of strategic advantage and the element of surprise led to a rapid decline in morale for the Lancastrian forces. Key Lancastrian leaders, including the Duke of Somerset, were killed or captured during the battle.

    • Conclusion: The Yorkists achieved a decisive victory by mid-afternoon. They routed the Lancastrians, who retreated in disarray. This battle resulted in significant casualties for the Lancastrians and demonstrated the shifting power dynamics between the two factions.

    • Aftermath: Following the battle, Richard, Duke of York, temporarily assumed control of the king, seeking to stabilize the kingdom amidst ongoing tensions. The victory set the stage for further conflicts in the Wars of the Roses.

Battle of Blore Heath (1459)

The Battle of Blore Heath (1459) was a significant engagement in the Wars of the Roses, where the factions of York and Lancaster clashed. The battle took place near Market Drayton in Shropshire, and it was a decisive victory for the Yorkists. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Yorkist forces, led by Lord Audley, managed to overcome the Lancastrian troops through strategic positioning and effective coordination. This victory bolstered Yorkist morale and demonstrated their military capabilities ahead of further conflicts in the ongoing civil war.

Battle of Worksop

Battle of Edgecote Moor

Battle of Losecoat Field (1470)

  • Robert Welle's men discarded their coats during the battle, signifying their defeat.

Battle of Mortimer’s Cross ***

  1. Battle of Mortimer's Cross (1461) - Yorkist victory that helped solidify Edward IV's control.

Siege of Ludlow Castle (aftermath of Battle of Mortimer’s Cross)

Battle of Ferrybridge (preliminary engagement to battle of Towton)

Battle of Hedgeley Moor

  1. Battle of Hedgeley Moor (1464) - Yorkist victory over Lancastrians.

Battle of Hexham

  1. Battle of Hexham (1464) - Another Yorkist victory that ensured their dominance at the time.

Battle of Barnet

  • Battle of Barnet (1471) - A key Yorkist victory that solidified Edward IV's reign.

Battle of Tewkesbury

  1. Battle of Tewkesbury (1471) - Major victory for the Yorkists that effectively ended Lancastrian resistance.

Battle of Northampton

Battle of Piltown

Battle of Sandwich

Battle of Bosworth Field (1485) ***

  1. Battle of Bosworth Field (1485) - Final battle of the Wars of the Roses, resulting in the defeat of Richard III and the rise of Henry Tudor as Henry VII

Battle of Stoke (1487)

  • considered the last battle of the Wars of the Roses. It occurred when forces loyal to Lambert Simnel, who claimed to be Edward Plantagenet, challenged the rule of Henry VII. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Henry VII's forces, effectively ending the major conflicts and claimants associated with the Wars of the Roses and solidifying his reign over England.

Rout of Ludford Bridge (1459)

Second Battle of St. Albans ***

Siege of the Tower of London

Battle of Wakefield

During the War of the Roses, England experienced the situation of having two kings, which stemmed from the civil conflict between the rival factions of Lancaster and York. King Henry VI, a Lancastrian, was the reigning monarch who faced growing instability and opposition from the Yorkists, led by Richard, Duke of York. In May 1460, the Yorkists captured Henry VI, and Richard assumed authority in his place but was not officially recognized as king.

After Richard was killed at the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460, his son, Edward IV, consolidated power and eventually took the throne for himself in 1461. However, Henry VI was not completely ousted, as he remained a symbol of Lancastrian legitimacy and was later restored to the throne briefly in 1470 due to political machinations before being deposed again. This back-and-forth of power, marked by battles and political alliances, resulted in a brief period where Henry VI continued to exist as a king alongside Edward IV, creating the situation of dual kingship in England.

The Act of Accord was a critical development during the War of the Roses, enacted in 1460 to address the ongoing disputes over the English throne. This agreement declared Richard, Duke of York, as the legitimate heir to the throne, effectively sidelining King Henry VI and favoring York's claim. The purpose of the Accord was to create peace between the rival Lancastrian and Yorkist factions amid increasing strife. However, it faced significant backlash from Queen Margaret, Henry VI's consort, and the Lancastrians, who viewed it as a direct threat to their authority. Ultimately, the Act deepened the rift between the factions, leading to further conflicts, such as the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460, which resulted in the death of Richard, Duke of York, and escalated the power struggle in England.