1. THE WAR OF THE ROSES The War of the Roses was a dynastic struggle between the rival houses of Lancaster and York. The War of the Roses was a dynastic struggle between the rival houses of Lancaster and York. Each house used a rose as its symbol: Each house used a rose as its symbol: Lancaster = Red rose Lancaster = Red rose York = White rose York = White rose The war lasted sporadically from 1455 to 1487 as different claimants to the throne aimed to usurp one another. The war lasted sporadically from 1455 to 1487 as different claimants to the throne aimed to usurp one another.

2. THE HOUSES OF YORK AND LANCASTER

3. THE BATTLE OF TOWTON The largest, longest, and bloodiest battle of the War of the Roses took place outside of the town of Towton. The largest, longest, and bloodiest battle of the War of the Roses took place outside of the town of Towton. During the battle, the armies of Lancaster and York fought amidst a blinding snowstorm and each suffered huge casualties. During the battle, the armies of Lancaster and York fought amidst a blinding snowstorm and each suffered huge casualties. As a result of this battle, the Lancastrian king Henry VI was usurped by the Yorkist king Edward IV. As a result of this battle, the Lancastrian king Henry VI was usurped by the Yorkist king Edward IV.

4. THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH FIELD The War of the Roses ended at the Battle of Bosworth Field where the Lancastrian claimant, Henry Tudor, defeated the final Yorkist king, Richard III.

5. THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH FIELD Henry Tudor (Henry VII) Richard III

6. SHAKESPEARE’S SHAKESPEARE’S RICHARD III In William Shakespeare’s Richard III, Shakespeare portrays Richard as a hunchbacked, cowardly, and evil king. In William Shakespeare’s Richard III, Shakespeare portrays Richard as a hunchbacked, cowardly, and evil king. Shakespeare was writing the play during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a Tudor monarch. Shakespeare was writing the play during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a Tudor monarch. The play culminates in Richard’s death on Bosworth Field with the (in)famous lines: The play culminates in Richard’s death on Bosworth Field with the (in)famous lines: King Richard: A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse! Catesby: Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse. King Richard: Slave! I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die.