What was the war of the roses?

The war of the roses is a series of civil wars in England fought between the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions between 1455 and 1487.
 

Edward IV early life

Edward was born on 28 April 1442 at Rouen in Normandy, eldest surviving son of Richard, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. (There was a spout if accusations of illegitimacy for politial stances)

When Edward IV was little there was economic decline in England and military defeat, exacerbated by a weak and corrupt central government.
 

Edward IV's reign

contemporaries like Philippe de Commines described Edward IV as handsome, affable, and energetic. And it was said that he was an impressive sight in armour, and took care to wear splendid clothes.

On 2 February 1461, Edward IV won a hard-fought victory at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross in Herefordshire. But this was offset by Warwick's defeat at the Second Battle of St Albans on 17 February, the Lancastrians regaining custody of Henry VI.
 

Edward IV when into exile?

Well, Edward IV took refuge in Flanders, part of the Duchy of Burgundy, accompanied by a few hundred men, including his younger brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Anthony Woodville and William Hastings. Mental and physical frailties made him incapable of ruling and resulted in an internal struggle for control, made worse because the coalition that put him back on the throne consisted of bitter enemies.

Edward entered London unopposed and took Henry prisoner; Warwick was defeated and killed at the Battle of Barnet on 14 April, while a second Lancastrian army was destroyed at the Battle of Tewkesbury on 4 May. This was followed by Henry's death a few days later; a contemporary chronicle claimed this was due to "melancholy" but it is generally assumed he was killed on Edward's orders.

Edward's health began to fail, and he became subject to an increasing number of ailments; his physicians attributed this in part to a habitual use of emetics, which allowed him to gorge himself at meals, then return after vomiting to start again. He fell fatally ill at Easter 1483, but survived long enough to add codicils to his will, the most important naming his brother as Protector after his death. He died on 9 April 1483 and was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Fancy writing a blog of your own?
The storytellers team is looking for new team members, if you are interested in writing blogs like this one please fill out an application and send it to

Georgia Clearless