Birth of the Red Dragon: Wales and the Wars of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses were fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York, with Wales and its resources being central to the conflict. Welshmen fought at Mortimers Cross and the Marchmen made Edward IV king, providing the army who fought for him at Towton in 1461. Henry VII was born at Pembroke, where he was welcomed back in 1485.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The importance of Wales in the Wars of the Roses has often been overlooked, but it played a crucial role in the conflict from the landing of Richard Duke of York at Denbigh in September 1450 to the death of his youngest son and namesake, Richard III, at Bosworth in 1485. Wales and its resources were central to the conflict, providing the strength for Richard Duke of York to challenge the rule of Henry VI. In opposition to York's presumption, both Edmund and Jasper Tudor were sent to their homeland in Wales in 1456, initiating a 30-year blood feud. Welshmen fought at Mortimers Cross and the Marchmen made Edward IV king and provided the army who fought for him at Towton in 1461. Welshmen also supported Jasper as Earl of Pembroke and through the years that led to the triumph at Bosworth. Henry VII was born at Pembroke, where he was welcomed back in 1485.

The book examines the intense rivalry between the Houses of Lancaster and York as they battled for the loyalties of the men of Wales and the Marches. The familial rivalry, generational blood feuds, and hatred bred the fratricidal violence that led to the Tudor triumph and paved the way for Henry VII's Acts of Union.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 242 x 164 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398112711