On This Day

French retake Bordeaux following the Battle of Castillon

The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, and also the Cousins' War, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for...

The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, and also the Cousins' War, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The conflict was fought between supporters of the House of Lancaster (emblem a red rose) and House of York (white rose), two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet. The conflict resulted in the end of Lancaster's male line in 1471, leaving the Tudor family to inherit their claim to the throne through the female line.

Historical Significance

The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, and also the Cousins' War, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487.

Events Before

  1. Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire

    The sultans of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish: Osmanlı padişahları), who were all members of the Ottoman dynasty (House of Osman), ruled over the transcontinental empire from its perceived inception in…

  2. Frederick III (37), crowned Holy Roman Emperor three days later, marries infanta Eleanor of Portugal (17) in Rome

    Frederick III (37), crowned Holy Roman Emperor three days later, marries infanta Eleanor of Portugal (17) in Rome

  3. Battle of Los Alporchones: forces of Kingdoms of Castile and Murcia defeat Emirate of Granada near Lorca, part of the Sp

    Battle of Los Alporchones: forces of Kingdoms of Castile and Murcia defeat Emirate of Granada near Lorca, part of the Spanish Reconquista

  4. Frederick III of Hapsburg crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Nicholas V at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome -last Holy Emper

    Frederick III of Hapsburg crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Nicholas V at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome -last Holy Emperor crowned in Rome

  5. Leonardo da Vinci is born

    Leonardo da Vinci, Italian renaissance polymath, known for italian renaissance polymath, was born on 1452-04-15.

Events After

  1. Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds second wife Isabella of Bourbon

    Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds second wife Isabella of Bourbon

  2. In the Thirteen Years' War, the Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the G

    In the Thirteen Years' War, the Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master

  3. Siege of Malbork, including its castle, seat of the Teutonic Order begun by Polish and Prussian forces - captured Septem

    Siege of Malbork, including its castle, seat of the Teutonic Order begun by Polish and Prussian forces - captured September 1454

  4. Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of the Prussian Confederation pledge allegiance to the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King o

    Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of the Prussian Confederation pledge allegiance to the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, Casimir IV, who agrees to help in their struggle for independence from the Teutonic Knights

  5. Milan and Venice sign peace of Lodi

    The Treaty of Lodi, or Peace of Lodi, was a peace agreement which brought to an end the Wars in Lombardy between the Venetian Republic and the Duchy of Milan, signed in the city of Lodi on 9 April...

More from the 1450s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 19, 1453?
The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, and also the Cousins' War, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. The conflict was fought between supporters of the House of Lancaster (emblem a red rose) and House of York (white rose), two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet. The conflict resulted in the end of Lancaster's male line in 1471, leaving the Tudor family to inherit their claim to the throne through the female line.
Why is French retake Bordeaux following the Battle of Castillon significant?
The Wars of the Roses, known at the time and in following centuries as the Civil Wars, and also the Cousins' War, were a series of armed confrontations, machinations, battles and campaigns fought for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487.

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