The Wars of the Roses: Family Ties and Power Struggles

The Wars of the Roses were a series of battles for the English throne. They happened between 1455 and 1487 and were strongly influenced by family connections. These family ties helped decide who had support and resources to fight for the crown.

1. Lancaster vs. York: The two main groups in these battles were the Lancasters and the Yorks. They often made alliances through marriages. For example:

   • Edward IV, from the York family, married Elizabeth Woodville. She was a widow with a powerful background, which helped him gain more support.
   • Henry VI, from the Lancaster family, was married to Margaret of Anjou. She worked hard to gather forces for him.

2. Local Loyalty: Family connections also affected support from different regions. The strong Neville family backed the Yorkists, while the Lancasters received help from the Tudor family. This eventually helped Henry Tudor rise to power.

In short, these family relationships shaped not just the battles but also who would win in this time filled with struggles for power.