Wars of the Roses

The rivalry between the house of York and the House of Lancaster started when King Richard II was overthrown by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, in 1399.

Mar 8, 1399

Henry IV ("Bolingbroke," son of the Duke of Lancaster), 1399-1413.

Mar 8, 1413

Henry V (son of Henry IV), 1413-1422.

Mar 8, 1422

But the Wars of the Roses actually began on May 22nd, 1455 with First Battle of St. Albans when Richard, Duke of York and his ally, Richard, Earl of Warwick defeated the Lancastrians under Edmund Beaufort who was killed. York captured Henry VI.

May 22, 1455

Henry VI (son of Henry V, deposed), 1422-1471.

Mar 8, 1471

Edward IV (son of duke of York), 1461-1483.

Mar 8, 1483

Edward V (son of Edward IV), 1483.

Mar 8, 1483

Richard III ("Crookback," brother of Edward IV) 1483-1485

Mar 8, 1485