Wars of the Roses

In this episode, we examine the Wars of the Roses, the bitter 15th-century struggle for the English throne between the rival Houses of Lancaster and York. We explore how Henry VI’s weak rule, noble rivalries, and competing claims of inheritance pushed England into decades of political violence, from the bloody Battle of Towton to the decisive clash at Bosworth Field. Along the way, we follow the rise and fall of major figures like Edward IV and Richard III, unpack the symbolism of the red and white roses, and consider how Henry VII’s victory and marriage alliance ended the Plantagenet era, launched the Tudor dynasty, and reshaped the English monarchy.