TUDORS: CONTEXT
War of The Roses: (1455-1485)
- Descendants of Edward III, intermittent civil war over the strongest claim to the
throne.
- House of Lancaster (Red Rose) vs House of York (White Rose)
Monarchy Changes:
- Henry VI (Red): 1422-1461, defeated in battle of Towton, became mentally weak
therefore loss of confidence from supporters,
- Edward IV (White): 1461-1470, nobles rebelled against, forced into exile,
- Henry VI: 1470-71, son killed in Battle of Tewksbury (no heir = weaker claim to
throne), backed by Edward IV’s rebels, possibly murdered in imprisonment,
- Edward IV: 1471-1483, died suddenly, son Edward V was only 13,
- Richard III (White): 1483-1485, brother to Edward IV, ruled as Edward V was too
young, became power hungry, killed in Battle of Bosworth
The Princes in The Tower:
- Edward IV’s heirs: Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, disappeared. Theories:
1) Murdered by Richard III
2) Kept imprisoned then murdered by Henry VII
3) Smuggled and replaced by lookalikes when living in exile.
Impact of The Wars of The Roses:
- Civil wars over the claim to the throne provides constant fear within the public
- Vulnerable to attack from other countries
- Weakened public attitude to the monarchy.
Henry VII:
- Married Elizabeth of York, a descendant of Edward IV therefore his cousin
- Went into exile at Duchy of Brittany aged 14 due to high target risk, remained for 14
years,
- Problems: Unaccustomed to present England, illegitimate as through his mother’s
line,
- Strengths: Interactions w/ other countries, can think like a fugitive therefore act
quickly.
- Nearly killed in Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485
- Lord Thomas Stanley and his brother, William, would support the winning side,
Thomas was Henry’s step-father
- Richard III was killed therefore Henry was crowned King on the battlefield.
War of The Roses: (1455-1485)
- Descendants of Edward III, intermittent civil war over the strongest claim to the
throne.
- House of Lancaster (Red Rose) vs House of York (White Rose)
Monarchy Changes:
- Henry VI (Red): 1422-1461, defeated in battle of Towton, became mentally weak
therefore loss of confidence from supporters,
- Edward IV (White): 1461-1470, nobles rebelled against, forced into exile,
- Henry VI: 1470-71, son killed in Battle of Tewksbury (no heir = weaker claim to
throne), backed by Edward IV’s rebels, possibly murdered in imprisonment,
- Edward IV: 1471-1483, died suddenly, son Edward V was only 13,
- Richard III (White): 1483-1485, brother to Edward IV, ruled as Edward V was too
young, became power hungry, killed in Battle of Bosworth
The Princes in The Tower:
- Edward IV’s heirs: Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, disappeared. Theories:
1) Murdered by Richard III
2) Kept imprisoned then murdered by Henry VII
3) Smuggled and replaced by lookalikes when living in exile.
Impact of The Wars of The Roses:
- Civil wars over the claim to the throne provides constant fear within the public
- Vulnerable to attack from other countries
- Weakened public attitude to the monarchy.
Henry VII:
- Married Elizabeth of York, a descendant of Edward IV therefore his cousin
- Went into exile at Duchy of Brittany aged 14 due to high target risk, remained for 14
years,
- Problems: Unaccustomed to present England, illegitimate as through his mother’s
line,
- Strengths: Interactions w/ other countries, can think like a fugitive therefore act
quickly.
- Nearly killed in Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485
- Lord Thomas Stanley and his brother, William, would support the winning side,
Thomas was Henry’s step-father
- Richard III was killed therefore Henry was crowned King on the battlefield.
