a family title, often used by royalty, which consists of monarchs who are related to each other

an area of southwestern France which was owned by the English from 1151-1453

Henry VI and Richard of York

History

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

Edward IV's unstable first reign

Edward IV's stable second 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?

all the people who live and work in a royal household

people of the highest social class, given land from the monarch in return for loyalty

a bond or connection between families or countries

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

the person who will be the next king or queen

a document stating a person’s wishes after their death

the period of a monarch’s rule when they are still a child

a child born of parents who are not legally married

resistance to the government, often an armed uprising

royal house of England, which reigned from 1154-1485

royal house of England, which reigned from 1485-1603

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

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