Roses, Wars of the

Civil wars in England 1455–85 between the houses of Lancaster (badge: red rose) and York (badge: white rose), both of which claimed the throne through descent from the sons of Edward III. As a result of Henry VI's lapse into insanity in 1453, Richard, Duke of York, was installed as protector of the realm. Upon his recovery, Henry forced York to take up arms in self-defence.

See England: history to 1485, the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, Edward IV, and Richard III and the end of the Wars of the Roses.

The name Wars of the Roses was given in the 19th century by the novelist Walter Scott.