Study Guides

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 explain what the Wars of the Roses tells us about 15th century England.

Key Notes

• The Wars of the Roses can tell us a lot about why England became unstable in the 15th century.
• Henry VI's reign shows how important having a strong, warrior king who could control the nobility was.
• Despite his qualities, Edward IV's inability to control his nobility led to further instability and conflict.
• The Wars of the Roses show how actions by dissatisfied, powerful nobles like Warwick often led to further instability.
• Richard III's actions show how England was still an unstable place when arguments about who should rule broke out.

Vocabulary To Learn

• rebellion: resistance to the government, often an armed uprising
• power: control or influence over others
• Plantagenet: royal house of England, which reigned from 1154-1485
• Tudor: royal house of England, which reigned from 1485-1603

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Students may think the Wars of the Roses ended with the victory of Henry VII at Bosworth and that all historians agree with this interpretation.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Edward IV's stable second reign Study Guide
• Edward IV's unstable first reign Study Guide
• Edward V and Richard III Study Guide
• Henry VI and Richard of York Study Guide
• The rule of Margaret of Anjou and the rise of Edward, Duke of York Study Guide