The marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York was really important for a few reasons, especially during the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudor family. It brought together two opposing sides and marked a fresh start for England after many years of fighting.

1. Bringing Together Two Houses

• House of Lancaster: Henry VII was the first king from the Tudor family. He claimed the throne through his mother, Margaret Beauchamp, who was from the Lancaster side.
• House of York: Elizabeth of York was the daughter of King Edward IV, who was part of the York family.
• What it Meant: Their marriage in 1486 symbolized the end of the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) and brought peace between the two fighting families. This was shown by the new Tudor Rose, which mixed the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York.

2. Political Peace

• Stopping the Fighting: This union helped bring political stability to a country that had seen 30 years of civil war, which cost the country a lot—about £10 million back then (or about £4 billion today).
• Legitimacy for Henry: The marriage gave Henry the recognition he needed to build his power and win over Yorkists who once opposed him.

3. Building a Family Legacy

• Children: The couple had several children, but their son Arthur (born in 1486) and daughter Margaret (born in 1489) were important because they helped form alliances with Spain and Scotland.
• Henry VIII: Their marriage also led to the birth of Henry VIII in 1491, who would later change the course of England with his reign.

4. Support from Nobles

• Noble Backing: The alliance gained support from many powerful nobles from both sides. Some supporters of Richard III switched their loyalty to Henry, which helped strengthen his rule.
• Noble Titles: Many former Yorkist lords got new titles, which encouraged them to stay loyal to Henry and reduced the chances of them causing trouble.

5. Effect on Leadership and Rules

• Strong Leadership: This marriage boosted Henry VII’s role as a stabilizing king. His good management raised the royal income from about £12,000 a year to £42,000 by the end of his time as king.
• Future Conflicts: While this marriage unified the families, it also set the stage for future fights about who would inherit the throne, especially concerning Henry VIII's marriages and the issues his kids faced.

6. Lasting Impact

• Tudor Family: The marriage started the Tudor dynasty, which lasted until 1603 and was a time of major changes in England.
• Cultural Changes: The Tudor era brought important changes in culture, politics, and religion, which shaped modern British history.

In short, the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York was not just about their personal lives; it was a major turning point in English history. It ended years of fighting, started a new royal family, and set the stage for a more united nation, greatly impacting England’s future.