1. The Wars of the Roses The Early Lancastrian Dynasty
From Henry IV to Henry VI
Rival Claimants: The Mortimers
Henry VI’s Troubles
Minority; Madness; Faction
The Rise of the Yorkists
Richard, Duke of York
Edward IV’s Reign(s)
1483
Edward IV’s End
Richard III’s Usurpation
1485
Henry Tudor
Bosworth
Edward III’s Descendants

2. The Lancastrian Dynasty (Red)
From Henry IV to Henry VI Henry IV’s Usurpation Claim through John of Gaunt (d. 1399) 3rd Son of Edward III (d. 1377) Rival Claimants – Mortimers Edward & Roger Mortimer, E. of March Via Lionel, Duke of Clarence 2nd Son of Edward III Henry V (r ) Relative Unity in French War Noble Admiration of Warlike King Early Death, Dysentery
Henry IV, Usurper; National Portrait Gallery

3. Henry VI’s Troubles
Minority (r. from 1422, 9 Months Old) Rivalry Among Uncles & Nobles Dks Bedford, Gloucester John Beaufort, E. of Somerset Younger Brother of Henry IV William de la Pole, E. of Suffolk Madness Pious, but Unstable; Bouts of Insanity Faction Rise & Greed of Suffolk during the 1440s Pilfering from the State Abuse of Royal Properties Richard, D. of York; Military Experience
Henry VI, National Portrait Gallery

4. The Rise of the Yorkists (White)
Richard, Duke of York (b. 1411) Claim via 2 Sons of Ed. III (Lionel) Son of Ann Mortimer (Rival of H4) Huge Wealth; Marriage w/ Nevilles Richard Neville, E. of Warwick Richard’s Activity Henry VI & Queen Fearing Richard Vs. Edmund Beaufort, D. Somerset H VI’s Insanity, R’s Regency St. Albans, May 1455 Richard, w/ Neville Support Henry VI, w/ Somerset & Percy Support Yorkist Control of H6; Queen Plotting 1459: Strong Reaction vs. Yorkists
Margaret of Anjou, Queen Consort of Henry VI

5. Yorkist Ascendancy Con’t
Yorkist Revenge Warwick & Richard’s Son, Edward Capture Henry VI at N’hampton, ’60 Richard’s Death at Wakefield, Dec. ‘60 Son, Edward’s Victories in ’61 Towton, March ’61 (Largest Battle) Edward IV (r ) Aid of Warwick (“Kingmaker”) Opposition of Queen Marriage Alliance with Woodville, ’64 Neville – Woodville Rivalry Rising against Edward, ‘69-70 Henry VI Reinstated, ’70, Defeated, ’71 Edward IV in Control, ; Few Challenges
Battle of Barnet, April ‘71; Ed. IV Victorious, Kingmaker Dead

6. 1483
Edward IV’s Death, April ’83 Brother, Richard, D. Gloucester Loyal Servant of the King Heir: Edward V, 13 Years Old Protector: Richard or Woodvilles? Uncle Richard Seizes Power Ed. V and Brother (Richard, D. York) Imprisoned (Killed?) in Tower Richard III Crowned, July ’83 Alienation of Yorkist Supporters Rebellion of Much of the South
Richard III, Nat. Portrait Gallery

7. 1485
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond Lancastrian Link to John of Gaunt French, Breton, British Support Sails from France, Route through Wales Bosworth, August 22, 1485 Middle of England Henry had c. 5,000 Men Richard had c. 8,000 Men William Stanley Switches Sides 3,000 Men Symbolic of the Wars Richard III Dead; Henry Tudor Crowned
Young Henry Tudor, NPG