The Wars of the Roses

October 15, 2010

The English civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses lasted for 30 years (1455-85) and led to the Tudor monarchy with the ascension of Henry VII after the defeat of Richard III. Hicks (medieval history, Univ. of Winchester, UK) does a remarkable job of outlining the preconditions for this compelling dynastic struggle that tore England apart (and provided fodder for both Shakespeare and over five centuries of study). Hicks contends that this conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster was inevitable after Henry IV's fairly questionable usurpation of the throne from Richard II in 1399. His examination of the social and economic background illustrates the agency of English citizens affected by the conflict. Most engaging is how Hicks describes the foolishness and scheming of key figures, e.g., the somewhat incompetent Henry VI and the ambitious Richard Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III), whose well-rounded portrayal here refreshingly shows that his ambitions were not necessarily in line with those of a Machiavellian traitor. VERDICT Another creditable work is Christine Carpenter's The Wars of the Roses: Politics and the Constitution in England, which focuses more specifically on constitutional issues. All readers interested in late medieval history, whether or not they have Carpenter, will appreciate this.--Brian Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll., Tucumcari, NM

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