During the Wars of the Roses, they had not been loyal to either side - renting out their private armies to the family that paid the most. They were rich and they had their own private armies.

He quickly identified the main problem he faced - the powerful barons of England. He was a clever man who was determined not to lose his throne. However, Henry was a very difficult opponent. However, the powerful York family remained a threat to him for years to come as they never recognised their defeat in the Wars of the Roses nor did they want a member of the Lancaster family as king of England.

Henry was a member of the Lancaster family and to bring the families closer together he married Elizabeth of York soon after being crowned king. The Wars of the Roses had been a constant battle between two of England's most powerful families - the families of York and Lancaster. Henry VIII and Elizabeth I tend to dominate Tudor history and their lives do overshadow the importance of Henry VII's reign. His second son, also called Henry, inherited the throne and became Henry VIII.

Henry VII was king of England from 1485 to 1509.

This battle saw the end of the Wars of the Roses which had brought instability to England. He was the first Tudor king after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in August 1485. Timeline of the War of Roses with expansion linksĪugust 1450 Return of Richard, Duke of York from Irelandĭecember 1453 Henry VI first bout with mental illnessĪpril 1454 Start of York's first protectorateįebruary 1455 End of York's first protectorateĢ2 August 1485 Richard III is killed at the battle of Bosworth: Battle of Bosworth What were the causes of the War of Roses?

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