England’s Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York for the crown from 1455 to 1485. The House of Lancaster was a family name that was gifted the title of earl sometime in 1267 (Britannica). The Yorks were equally titled and wealthy. Both families were descendants of Edward III and had their own armies and supporters. The war had a negative effect on the throne of England, and the country altogether at the time, but soon set the path for the start of the English Reformation, proving it eventually had a powerful impact on England. The House of Lancaster and the House of York were factions made up of Edward III’s descendants, leading both parties to war in an effort to claim the throne.
The Prolonged Conflict
The War of the Roses consumed England for a long period of time. It was so daunting, it continues to be considered “the longest period of civil war in England’s post-conquest history” (Michael Hicks 4) which tore the country apart politically. In fact, the war was so intense, it affected political and religious communities outside of England. The escalation of the war even prompted Pope Pius II “to mediate the Lancastrian-Yorkish conflict” (Head 189) but was unsuccessful. The House of Lancaster was started in 1267 (Britannica), a branch created by the House of Plantagenet. At the time, the Lancastrians were considered one of the most wealthy and powerful families in England. However, throughout the War of the Roses, their power was critically weakened. The second family involved in the War of the Roses was the House of York. The Yorkist Party was formed to overthrow the House of Lancaster. The party supported the York branch of the House of Plantagenet.
Origins of the Rivalry
First, the rivalry between the House of York and the House of Lancaster started when King Richard II was overthrown by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster (Fraser). This angered the House of York because they felt they had a claim to the throne. Both families had legitimate claims but royal succession was being argued based on whether “descent through a daughter of a second son” (Bennett 580) took precedence over “descent through a son of a third son” (580). The inability to stake a clear claim to the throne resulted in the initial battle between the two houses; the First Battle of St Albans (Fraser). Consequently, Jones asserts that the “one factor that contributed to the tension was the dynastic uncertainty of the period” (289) along with the lack of a clear heir to the throne. It is this uncertainty that drove the House of York and the House of Lancaster to war.
Military Engagements and Shifting Fortunes
The House of York’s army was led by Richard, Duke of York. (Ben Johnson) He formed alliances with other nobles to help his family wage war. In fact, supporters of the House of York eventually marched into London, attacking the Lancaster army and murdering important figures in the House of Lancaster. This loss caused the Lancasters to launch a great deal of skirmishes that were fought throughout England. The Battle of St. Albans proved to be devastating to the Yorkists but the next major battle would prove to be one of the more important fights.
In this situation, the Battle of Northampton (Ben Johnson) included much bigger forces than those seen at St. Albans. The Lancasters failed to successfully defeat the Yorkist forces and lost many men. The Yorkists captured King Henry IV. However, the capture of Henry IV created more tension between the two houses and was the cause of more battles between the two. Next came the Battle of Wakefield. It was the battle that turned the tide for the Lancasters (History.com). While Richard did his best and held out for some time, he was eventually overwhelmed by the Lancastrians and his forces were defeated. The battle cost Richard both his position and his life.
Final Stages of the Conflict
The Lancaster family claimed the throne for a brief period. The last major battle in the War of the Roses was the Battle of Stoke Field which “started on June 16, 1487, twenty-six years after the previous major battle in the War of the Roses. This battle would be the last time both houses would fight each other for the throne of England (The War of the Roses, History.com) and prove the Lancasters victorious.
Impact on the English Throne and Society
The impact the War of the Roses had on the throne of England was troublesome because the ruler of the throne changed multiple times during the war. The English throne had many rulers during the war, which left the country very unstable throughout the War of the Roses. The war, however, had a positive impact on England because it brought in the rule of The Tudors, which shaped England into the country we are familiar with today. During the Tudors’ reign, things like art changed. During this period, religious artwork became virtually extinct, and art became more focused on the monarchy and the people instead, as seen in figure one (Hans Holbein). The Tudors also separated England from the church’s rule, giving England more power.
The Role of the Tudors
The ascension of the Tudors, starting with Henry VII, marked the end of the Wars of the Roses and the beginning of a new era in English history. Henry VII’s victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 ended decades of civil strife and established a dynasty that would rule England for over a century. The stability brought by the Tudors allowed for significant political and social changes, including the strengthening of the monarchy and the centralization of power.
The English Reformation
The Tudors played a crucial role in the English Reformation, a religious and political movement that resulted in the Church of England breaking away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. Henry VIII’s desire for an annulment from Catherine of Aragon led to the establishment of the Church of England and significant religious reforms. This separation from the Catholic Church not only altered the religious landscape of England but also had profound economic and political implications.
Cultural and Artistic Developments
The Tudor period was also marked by a flourishing of culture and the arts, often referred to as the English Renaissance. Figures like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe emerged, transforming English literature. The period also saw significant developments in architecture and visual arts, influenced by Renaissance styles from continental Europe.
Socio-Economic Changes
The Wars of the Roses and the subsequent Tudor consolidation had lasting socio-economic effects. Feudalism began to decline as the Tudor monarchs centralized power and implemented reforms that reduced the influence of the nobility. The dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, for instance, redistributed church lands and wealth, impacting the social and economic structures of the country.
Academic Theories and Historical Interpretations
Various academic theories help in understanding the Wars of the Roses and their impact. Structuralism, for example, can be used to analyze the power structures and social hierarchies that existed during this period. The conflict between the Lancasters and Yorks can be seen as a struggle between competing power structures within the broader framework of English feudal society.
Marxist theory offers another lens, focusing on the economic and class struggles that underpinned the conflict. The redistribution of land and wealth during and after the wars, as well as the decline of feudalism, can be interpreted as part of a broader transition from feudalism to early capitalism in England.
Psychological theories, particularly those related to leadership and group dynamics, can also provide insights. The personalities and leadership styles of key figures like Richard III, Henry VI, and Henry VII played significant roles in the course of the wars and the eventual outcome.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Wars of the Roses were a pivotal period in English history, marked by intense conflict and significant political and social changes. The rivalry between the House of Lancaster and the House of York, stemming from disputes over legitimate claims to the throne, led to decades of civil war. The impact of these wars was profound, leading to the rise of the Tudor dynasty, significant religious reforms, cultural and artistic developments, and socio-economic changes. Understanding this period through various academic theories provides a deeper insight into the complexities of this era and its lasting legacy on English history.