The Wars of the Roses : 1455-1487

by History Nerds, Aleksa Vučković

About empty thrones, a lot can be said. Throughout history, both ancient and near modern, a lack of an heir and the sudden death of a beloved monarch always meant trouble. When the position of a king is up for grabs, a lot of eager hands come forward. Pretenders and would-be heirs, cousins and nephews, bastard sons and daughters - they all came forward staking their claim to the throne. In the history of Medieval England, such episodes were many. Usurpers who oust kings and heirs, pretenders with long-forgotten dynastic many once fought for the lucrative throne of the English Kingdom. However, by far the most important of all these historic episodes lasted from 1455 to 1487 - 32 long years of struggle and bloodshed in England. And that episode was known as the Wars of the Roses. These wars ravaged England, pitting two competing cadet families of the royal House of Plantagenet - York, and Lancaster. Their supporters, the Lancastrians and Yorkists, descended into bitter warfare over the throne. For their symbols they took red and white roses, respectively - thus giving the name to the conflict.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2022

Reviews

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Wars of the Roses" is a captivating exploration of one of the most turbulent periods in British history. This book delves into the fascinating era that inspired authors like Shakespeare, making it a must-read for anyone interested in medieval times.

The narrative revolves around the concept of empty thrones and the chaos that ensues when a monarch dies without a clear heir. Throughout history, the sudden death of a beloved king has always led to turmoil, with numerous pretenders and would-be heirs vying for the throne. The book meticulously details how cousins, nephews, and even illegitimate children staked their claims, leading to intense power struggles.

One of the most significant periods of such conflict in Medieval England is the Wars of the Roses, spanning from 1455 to 1487. Over 32 years of relentless warfare, the Lancastrians and Yorkists, two cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet, battled fiercely for control of the English throne. The Lancastrians adopted the red rose as their emblem, while the Yorkists chose the white rose, giving the conflict its evocative name.

This book not only provides a thorough account of the Wars of the Roses but also highlights the broader implications of dynastic disputes. It paints a vivid picture of the political intrigue, shifting alliances, and brutal battles that defined this era. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of medieval power struggles and the far-reaching impact of these historical events.

Overall, "The Wars of the Roses" is an enlightening and engaging read, offering a rich blend of historical detail and dramatic storytelling. It is highly recommended for history enthusiasts and anyone intrigued by the tumultuous events that shaped Medieval England.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodie Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Wars of the Roses (White & Red). This book was a little hard for me to read. There were so many men, brothers, cousins, twice removed etc, all fighting to become the King of England.
I got a little confused. I will try again later. But the parts I did read, were interesting and I did enjoy and learn something new.
I really wanted to read this book because I found out, one of my family members, a great, great, great, etc, not sure how many greats, fought in this war, on the side of the Lancasters. That is exciting to know.
I liked it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favourite period of history to study is the period beginning with the Wars of the Roses continuing through the reign of Elizabeth I. I find the intrigue fascinating.

One thing I wanted to mention is in relation to the reign of Richard III. Two things can be true at once. Richard III passed laws that benefitted the people as was mentioned in the book, showing he was a good king. He also usurped his nephew, Edward V's, throne when he had him declared illegitimate. He may also have had his nephews murdered. He's a very good suspect considering the usurpation. That said, we will never know who murdered the boys.

[Linda Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The War of the Roses explains the years leading up to the war & during it. The intriguing & complex Royal House of Plantagenet is explored. The two cadet branches of York & Lancaster battled fiercely for the English throne. The White Rose represented Yorkists; the Lancastrians chose the Red Rose. There’s political intrigue & disloyal nobles vying for position & influence.
This is an interesting read detailing the events that shaped Medieval England, & paved the way for the Tudor Dynasty.
I received a free copy from History Nerds & have written a voluntary, honest review.

[Andrew Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before receiving this book I was not familiar with the War of Roses. This book contains some interesting information. This period of British history inspired authors such as Shakespeare in their writings. A great book for anyone interested in medieval times. The audio book has a great narrator that makes it pleasant to listen to.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a brief overview, this is a good start. It gives us the major characters, battles and aftermath of the Wars of the Roses. And it also delves into England after the Wars ended - the reign of Henry VII and Henry VIII as well as a discussion of Richard III and his reign.

Technically, some of the history is not completely accurate but for the sake of a general overview, it hits the high points. 4 stars.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book to start at bedtime. The War of the Roses is Absolutely Fascinating! The details and intrigue, the quotes from contemporaries of the time and the family entanglements kept me wanting more… it is now past 2 am. Oops!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts of the Plantagenets are not good based on many other books read. This is a sad tale of lots of children being killed because of their lineage. Imagine we kill Baron just because his father and his father’s father worked hard. But such is the tale of kingdoms. How many would you kill to keep your cousins alive, brother? Family line?

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This look at the Wars of the Roses. The book was well written and easy to read. I found the information to be both interesting and entertaining. Another job well done by the writers of History Nerds.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ArPeGiOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, since I was teenager I heard about the War of the Roses, and now I 've had finally the chance to learn more about it.

The book is well written and nicely narrated. The content is fabulous.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, detailed summary of the War of the Roses, getting into the background going all the way back to the beginning of the Plantagenets as well as getting well into the Tudor dynasty to show how the war lingered well past Bosworth.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read about The War of The Roses, that gives an outline of who is involved and the outcome. Other sources would provide more in depth details. This is an excellent beginning point.

[Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly enjoy the History Nerds books a lot because I enjoy historical books, period. This one was kind of a snoozer for me. Maybe it was me, maybe the subject matter. Not really sure.

[Jordan Vesely · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
The Richard revisionism goes brrrrr. The ending of that section with a hypothetical about how England would be better if he had ruled felt out of place, and fan fictiony.