New
New
Year 7
Henry VI and Richard of York
I can describe how Richard, Duke of York, came to challenge the rule of King Henry VI.
New
New
Year 7
Henry VI and Richard of York
I can describe how Richard, Duke of York, came to challenge the rule of King Henry VI.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Unlike his successful warrior-king father, Henry VI was a weak Lancastrian king, lacking leadership and strength.
- Between 1450 and 1453 England lost land in France including Normandy and Gascony and rebellion rose in southern England.
- Henry VI collapsed and Richard, Duke of York, a noble of royal blood, seized his chance to take control of government.
- In December 1454, Henry VI resumed his rule and excluded York from government, leading to the Battle of St Albans.
- England had become unstable due Henry's weakness and York's willingness to use force against him.
Keywords
House - a family title, often used by royalty, which consists of monarchs who are related to each other
Normandy - a region in northern France
Gascony - an area of southwestern France which was owned by the English from 1151-1453
Common misconception
Students may believed that the Yorkists and Lancastrians were from different families.
The Lancastrians and Yorkists were both part of the Plantagenet family.
Explain that families have different sides to them, dependent on each parent.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
The year 1455 is part of the century.
Q2.
The Wars of the Roses lasted three decades. How many years did the Wars of the Roses last?
3 years
300 years
Q3.
The Wars of the Roses was fought between different groups of English nobles, in England. Why might the Wars of the Roses be described as a civil war?
It was fought over a long period of time.
It was fought between two different countries.
It was a largely peaceful conflict.
Q4.
Starting with the most powerful, put the groups within medieval society into order.
Q5.
Write the missing word: A medieval king could succeed to the throne by winning a...
Q6.
Starting with the earliest, sort these events from the Wars of the Roses into chronological order.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which royal family fought each other during the Wars of the Roses?
the Tudors
the Normans
the Stuarts
Q2.
Write the missing word: The Wars of the Roses was fought between the House of York and the House of ...
Q3.
Match each keyword with its definition.
monarchs who are related to each other
a region in northern France
an area of southwestern France, lost by the English in 1453
Q4.
Write the missing word: Richard, Duke of York, became Protector of England because King was experiencing poor mental health.
Edward III
Edward IV
Henry VII
Q5.
At which battle did York's army fight the first battle of the Wars of the Roses against the king in 1455?
Tewkesbury
Towton
Bosworth Field
Q6.
Put the following events in the correct chronological order.
Additional material
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