House of Lancaster 1399-1461

HOUSE OF LANCASTER 1399-1461

WARS OF THE ROSES • Struggles for the English Crown lasting during the time between the reigns of Richard II (last Angevin; deposed by cousin and Parliament) and Henry VII (of the Lancaster family; first Tudor) • Between 2 rival families—Lancasters (red rose) and Yorks (white rose) • Claims of Lancaster and York united with the marriage of Henry VII to Elizabeth of York; end of dynastic warfare.

HENRY IV (House of Lancaster) r. 1399 - 1413

• First Lancaster king • “Reign of Rebellion” – Richard II’s half brothers – Dukes – Archbishops

• Felt remorse for how he had treated Richard.

HENRY V r. 1413 - 1422 • Son of Henry IV • Renewed Hundred Years War – Attention diverted from internal discord – Supported by Parliament

• Battle at Agincourt (1415)—precursor to Treaty of Troyes, which gave the French princess in marriage to Henry and a superior claim to the French throne. • Could have been crowned King of France had he lived longer.

HENRY VI r. 1422 – 1461(Deposed) r. 1470 – 1471 (Restored- then murdered) • King at 9 months! (uncles and cousins reigned for first 20 years) • Hundred Years’ War continued…France had Joan of Arc, English lost • Last of the Lancasters • Armed (firearms) conflict in War of the Roses becomes more acute. • Gov’t was too weak to control the nobles – Disastrous results for Henry

Lancaster Rose

HOUSE OF YORK 1461-1485

EDWARD IV (House of York) r. 1461-1470 and 1471-1483 • Was originally chosen as king by a council of peers, but then finally defeated Henry VI • Lived off of the spoils taken from the supporters of the Lancasters.

Yorkshire Rose

EDWARD V April – June 1483 • Crowned at twelve, immediately sent to the tower by his uncle Richard, Duke of Glouster (brother of Edward IV who believed Edward V and his younger brother were illegitimate.) • Edward and his younger brother were locked in the Tower of London (for their safety?), and were not seen again after several months. • Their disappearance is still a mystery, but is typically blamed on either Richard (uncle) or Henry Tudor.

RICHARD III r. 1483 - 1485 • Last of the Yorks • Ruthless with opponents • Remembered most for his most likely role in the disappearance of his nephews. • Killed at Bosworth