Year 7 - History
The rule of Margaret of Anjou and the rise of Edward, Duke of York
The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
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.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how the actions of Margaret of Anjou and the Yorkists created further instability in England.
Key Notes
- After the Battle of St Albans, Henry VI's wife, Margaret of Anjou, was determined to preserve her husband's rule.
- She ruled on his behalf and built Lancastrian support for Henry, removing Yorkists from court.
- Fighting broke out in 1460 with the powerful Earl of Warwick supporting the Yorkists, but York was killed.
- Edward, York's son, replaced him and defeated the Yorkists at Mortimer's Cross and Towton, claiming the throne.
- England had once again been made unstable by arguments over who should be in charge of the country.
Vocabulary To Learn
- queen consort: the wife of a reigning monarch
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The belief that Margaret of Anjou was a vicious and unpleasant woman.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
After the Battle of St Albans, Henry VI's wife, Margaret of Anjou, was determined to preserve her husband's rule. She ruled on his behalf and built Lancastrian support for Henry, removing Yorkists from court.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'queen consort'
the wife of a reigning monarch.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The belief that Margaret of Anjou was a vicious and unpleasant woman. Correction: A woman who held power would have likely been criticised in the medieval period and Yorkists would also have wanted to show her in an unfavourable light.
More Lessons In This Unit
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