What the Wars of the Roses tell us about England in the fifteenth century

History

A study of the Wars of the Roses helps to contextualise the decline of feudalism and the rise of the Tudor household which pupils will move on to study (Y8). Pupils will also be able to re-visit their knowledge of civil wars when studying the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution (Y8).

Pupils will already have an understanding of the deposition on Kings and civil wars through their studies of the Anarchy and the Magna Carta. Pupils will also have a strong understanding of medieval warfare and the importance of the Hundred Years War to the Kings of England. Finally, the declining power of feudalism links back to pupils' study of the Peasants' Revolt.

The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England?

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Write the missing number. The Wars of the Roses helps to explain why England was so unstable in the {{}}th century.

Henry VI's reign shows that a medieval king needed to be strong and a brave {{}} in battle.

Which group of people did Edward IV fail to control effectively during his unstable first reign?

Which of the following were features of Plantagenet rule?

At which battle in 1485 did Henry Tudor kill Richard III?

Match the following keywords to their correct definitions.

The ceremony of crowning a king or queen is known as a...

How old was Edward V when his father unexpectedly died?

Richard of Gloucester made himself {{}} of England until Edward V was old enough to rule.

Write the missing name: Edward V and his younger brother {{}} were both held in the Tower of London.

they were smuggled out of England to live in France

they decided to live as commoners in England 

they escaped and started a rebellion against their uncle

What most likely happened to the princes in the tower?

Edward V travelled to London for his coronation

Richard of Gloucester stopped Edward V and made himself Protector

Richard delayed Edward V's coronation and eventually was crowned Richard III

The princes in the Tower went missing and were never seen again

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

What the Wars of the Roses tell us about England in the fifteenth century

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.