The Wars of the Roses represented a major turning point in English history. So, it is perhaps unsurprising that it has attracted many myths and misconceptions. Unravelling what exactly happened, and why, often throws up… Read More »10 Myths of the Wars of the Roses
In September 1450, Richard of York suddenly abandoned his post as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and returned to England. During the Cade Rebellion of that summer, the rebels had demanded that York (among others) should be… Read More »Birth of the Yorkist Faction
After 1450, Richard Duke of York emerged as the focal point of political opposition to England’s Lancastrian regime. Eventually, of course, Richard would openly rebel against the crown and claim the throne for himself. The… Read More »Richard of York: The Early Years
As England stood on the eve of the second phase of the Wars of the Roses, a bitter trade dispute threatened to further undermine stability. Friction between the Hanseatic League and the English had been… Read More »The Hansards and the Wars of the Roses
On 2nd May 1450 the Duke of Suffolk was fleeing England when his ship was intercepted by a vessel called the Nicholas of the Tower. Within a day he was dead; beheaded by a common… Read More »Who Killed the Duke of Suffolk? A C15th Mystery
“The Law serves no other purpose in these days but to do wrong.” Proclamation of Jack Cade, June 1450 Perhaps one of the most extreme examples of the chaos that blighted Henry VI’s reign in… Read More »The Bonville-Courtenay Feud
After a century of struggle, the Hundred Years’ War was finally over. The end, when it came, came surprisingly quickly. In just four years the English were ousted from all their French possessions except Calais. … Read More »How France won the Hundred Years’ War
Ever since Joan of Arc’s victory at Orleans in 1429, the Hundred Years’ War had not been going England’s way. After several abortive attempts, England and France eventually negotiated a precarious truce in 1444. However,… Read More »How England Lost the Hundred Years’ War
In the summer of 1449, England’s truce with France broke down. The Hundred Years’ War resumed with a vengeance. The Lancastrian regime desperately needed money to pay for the defence of their beleaguered French possessions. … Read More »The Lancastrian Debt Crisis
On 20 February 1447, the King’s own uncle, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester was arrested and charged with treason. He was taken into custody and held at Bury St Edmunds where he died a few days… Read More »The Downfall of Good Duke Humphrey