The real war of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses refers to a series of civil wars fought for the throne of England during the years 1455 to 1485 between the houses of Lancaster (known as the “Red Rose”)

Red Rose of Lancaster

and the house of York (“White Rose”)

White Rose of York

The war ended when the yorkist king Richard III was defeated by the Lancastrian “red rose” Henry Tudor. Henry Tudor went on to marry Elizabeth of York, therefore uniting the houses, and ruling england and Wales for over a 100 years.

King Henry created the now famous Tudor Rose(also known as the Union Rose)

Tudor Rose

by merging the emblems of both warring houses that were united following his victory and marriage.