Everything Tudor: Timeline

Timeline of The Wars of the Roses

1399

Richard II is deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster who is crowned Henry IV. This begins the succession dispute as Bolingbroke (issue of Edward III's third son John of Gaunt) had a weak claim to the throne.

The childless Richard II had named Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March (issue of the second son of Edward III) as heir presumptive. However, Mortimer had died the previous year and no one championed his young son Edmund's claim to the throne, though technically he was the true heir.

Above: Richard II

1422

henryv

August 31-Henry V, son of Henry IV, dies unexpectedly, leaving his nine month old son, Henry VI, as king. This is the continuation of the House of Lancaster.

1445

April 23-Wedding of Henry VI and Margaret d'Anjou

1450

August-Return of Richard, Duke of York from Ireland. Richard is the Yorkist heir, descendent of Richard II's heir.

1452

Richard, Duke of York leads a rebellion demanding the Duke of Somerset's removal as chief minister to the king. However, because of lack of support, York was imprisoned for much of 1452 and 1453, but finally released under oath of loyalty.

Blackheath where York was forced to surrender.

1453

December-Henry VI's first bout of mental illness

1454

April-Start of York's first protectorate

1455

February-End of York's first protectorate

May 22-The Wars of the Roses begins with the Battle of First St. Albans, a Yorkist victory

Above: At. Albans Cathedral

November-Lady Margaret Beaufort marries Edmund Tudor

Above: Unknown Lady thought to be Margaret Beaufort as a young woman

1456

June 11-Anne Neville is born to Richard, Earl of Warwick and Lady Anne Beauchamp.

November 1-Death of Edmund Tudor

1457

January 28-Henry VII is born at Pembroke Castle. He is the only child of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond and Lady Margaret Beaufort.

1459

Sept. 23-Battle of Blore Heath, a York victory

Oct. 12-Battle of Ludford Bridge, a Lancastrian victory

1460

July 10-Battle of Northampton, a Yorkist victory.

Above: Delapre Abbey, Northampton. This is where King Henry VI was held captive after the Battle of Northampton.

December 30-Battle of Wakefield, a Lancastrian victory. Richard, Duke of York is killed during the battle.

Above: Ruins of Sandal Castle, Wakefield.

1461

February 2-Battle of Mortimor's Cross, a Yorkist victory. Owen Tudor is killed.

Above: Arms of Owen Tudor who was executed after the Battle of Mortimor's Cross.

February 17-Battle of Second St. Albans, a Lancastrian victory.

Above: 15th Century Tower in St. Albans

March 28-Battle of Ferrybridge, a Yorkist victory.

Above: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. During his retreat at the end of the Battle of Ferrybridge, Warwick was shot in the leg iwth an arrow.

March 29-The Battle of Towton, a Yorkist Victory. Henry VI and Margaret d'Anjou flee to Scotland.

June- The Earl of Warwick Edward IV march into London where Edward is crowned King.

Above: Edward IV

1464

April 25- Battle of Hedgeley Moor, a Yorkist Victory.

Above: The Percy Cross at Hedgeley Moor.

May 1-Edward IV secretly marries Elizabeth Woodville.

May 15-Battle of Hexham, a Yorkist victory. The Duke of Somerset is captured and executed.

Above: Execution of the Duke of Somerset.

1465

May 26-Elizabeth Woodville is crowned Queen of England.

1466

Feburary 11-Elizabeth of York is born at Wesminster to Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

1467

August 11-Mary of York is born to Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

Continue to 1469-1479-The War Continues