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

Edward IV's unstable first reign

History

A study of the Wars of the Roses helps to contextualise the decline of feudalism and the rise of the Tudor household which pupils will move on to study (Y8). Pupils will also be able to re-visit their knowledge of civil wars when studying the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution (Y8).

Pupils will already have an understanding of the deposition on Kings and civil wars through their studies of the Anarchy and the Magna Carta. Pupils will also have a strong understanding of medieval warfare and the importance of the Hundred Years War to the Kings of England. Finally, the declining power of feudalism links back to pupils' study of the Peasants' Revolt.

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

Write the missing name: During the reign of Edward IV, he upset members of the nobility at court by marrying ...

The Earl of Warwick had hoped England would form an alliance with which country?

He believed that Henry VI would be a stronger king than Edward IV.

He preferred to spend time at the French court.

He was unhappy about Edward IV's favouritism towards the Woodvilles.

He hoped to be able to control Henry VI who was easily influenced.

Why did Warwick betray Edward by pledging his support to Henry VI and the Lancastrians?

Warwick went missing form the court of Edward IV.

Warwick helped Henry VI to regain the English crown.

Edward IV fought back at the Battle of Barnet and Warwick was killed.

Henry VI was captured at the Battle Tewkesbury and his son, Edward, was killed.

Henry VI was placed in the Tower of London, but died shortly afterwards.

Put these events into chronological order.

the importance of keeping the nobility on his side

the importance of ignoring the views of the nobility

What lesson did Edward IV learn from his unstable first reign?

Complete the sentence: Events in England between 1461 and 1471 were caused by arguments about who should {{ }} England.

What is the wife of a reigning monarch known as?

Margaret of {{ }} helped her husband Henry VI to regain the throne from Richard, Duke of York.

Match the battle to the correct year and outcome.

During the Wars of the Roses, the fighting between the Yorkists and {{ }} caused England to become unstable.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Edward IV's unstable first reign

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.