belonging to the class of rich landowners such as lords

an ordinary person, not part of the royal family or nobility

an organisation set up to improve control in the north

an area along the border between England and Wales

in this lesson, this refers to money granted as a favour or reward

Edward IV's stable second reign

History

Henry VI and Richard of York

The rule of Margaret of Anjou and the rise of Edward, Duke of York

Edward IV's unstable first reign

Edward V and Richard III

What the Wars of the Roses tell us about England in the fifteenth century

In this unit, students analysed dynastic instability and its significant impact upon England. In 'Henry VIII and the Reformation: how unusual was the English Reformation?', students will deepen their understanding of the impact of dynastic politics as they assess Henry VIII's Great Matter and its relation to the English Reformation.

In 'Medieval women: what can we learn from Matilda about women in medieval England?', pupils studied how England was affected by dynastic struggles and conflicts. In this unit, pupils will focus on analysing how dynastic struggles re-emerged and led to an even more prolonged civil war in England in the 15th century.

In this unit, pupils develop an understanding of the events of the period known as the Wars of the Roses. In doing so, they analyse the reasons for instability during this period, reflecting on what the Wars of the Roses can tell us about fifteenth-century England.

The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England?

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Match each keyword with its correct definition.

the importance of punishing those who rebelled against him

the importance of keeping the support of the nobility

the importance of keeping the support of the commoners

the importance of showing favouritism to his family

What lesson did Edward IV learn from his first reign?

Edward IV threatened to remove those who criticised her from court.

The court of Edward IV did not object to her being a commoner.

She was supported by her powerful Woodville relatives and produced heirs.

She ordered those who opposed her to be executed.

Why was Elizabeth Woodville eventually accepted by the royal court as queen consort?

Write the missing word. Edward set up {{ }} to rule lawless areas in the Welsh Marches and the North.

restored the support of those who had fought against him

made agreements with Burgandy which helped the wool industry

set up councils and reduced the power of the Marcher Lords

won the French pension which boosted royal income and kept taxes down

Match each improvement in Edward's second reign with how he achieved it.

Which description of Edward IV's second reign is most appropriate?

She was an English commoner and had already been married before.

She was a French princess and France was England's enemy.

She was too old to be able to have any children.

She was a Scottish princess and Scotland was England's enemy.

Why was Elizabeth Woodville considered to be an inappropriate wife for Edward IV?

Which princess did the Earl of Warwick try to arrange for Edward to marry?

Due to Warwick's power and influence over other members of the nobility, historians have nicknamed him the ...

At which battle was Edward, the son of Henry VI, killed?

Complete the sentence: Edward IV's failure to keep the support of the {{ }} meant his first reign was unstable.

Edward IV's stable second reign

Lesson outcome

Content guidance