Dynastic struggle in Medieval England: The Wars of the Roses (1455-1485)

The House of York and The House of Lancaster, lower house of the Plantagenet dynasty, laid claim to the crown in the aftermath of the Hundred Years' War. Problems arose in the authority of the current king, Henry VI, as he was manipulated by his aides and his wife Margaret of Anjou with the loss of the Hundred Years' War with France under Henry VI, Richard Duke of York emerged with a claim to the throne. Taking advantage of the vacuum of authority caused by the King's illness, Richard Duke of York became the protector of the English throne for a short time. The Queen, who was disturbed by the presence of the Duke of York, used her influence on Henry VI to have the Duke of York removed from office. After the Duke of York lost his title, a period of struggle between the Houses of Lancaster and York began, which would last for about 30 years. The first serious civil war between the parties started in 1455 and ended in 1485. The wars ended when Henry Tudor, a distant relative of both houses, won the Battle of Bosworth Field, the last of the Wars of the Double Rose. Henry united the two houses and united them under his rule. Using the red and white rose, the symbol of the houses, he turned the Tudor Rose into the symbol of the new dynasty. Thus, England became an important player in shaping European politics and the course of English history changed.