Wars of the Roses: The People, Places and Battlefields of the Yorkists and Lancastrians

The Wars of the Roses, which lasted for three decades and caused the demise of dynasties, resulted in the destruction of an entire generation of nobility. It also led to the rise of the merchant class, the decline of medieval feudalism, and the opening of England to the enlightened ideals of the Renaissance. This book explores the buildings, monuments, towns, and battlefields of that era in both England and Wales, including places that can still be visited today. The stories of the great battles, such as St Albans, Stoke Field, Wakefield, Townton, Barnet, Tewksbury, and Bosworth, are told along with beautiful photographs to guide the reader round these important sites. Castles and manor houses, such as Richard of York's Lulow Castle and Bamburg, are compared with the scant remains of Fotheringhay Castle, the birthplace of Richard III, and Micklegate Bar, York, where Richard's head was placed on a spike. These places, monuments, plaques, buildings, and battlegrounds represent a journey back in time to the bloody conflict that was the War of the Roses.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Wars of the Roses, a turbulent period of three decades in England and Wales, brought about significant changes. It ravaged the nobility, led to the rise of the merchant class, the decline of medieval feudalism, and opened the country to the enlightened ideals of the Renaissance. The enduring impact of this era is evident in the red and white rose of the Tudors, which remains a national symbol today. This book delves into the buildings, monuments, towns, and battlefields of that era, offering a glimpse into places that can still be visited and experienced. The stories of great battles, such as St Albans, Stoke Field, Wakefield, Townton, Barnet, Tewksbury, and Bosworth, are told alongside stunning photographs to guide readers through these significant sites. Castles and manor houses, like Richard of York's Lulow Castle and the magnificent Tudor stronghold of Bamburg, played pivotal roles in the struggle for the English throne. These historical landmarks are compared with the remnants of Fotheringhay Castle, the birthplace of Richard III, and Micklegate Bar, York, where his head was placed on a spike. The book also showcases the Clocktower of St Albans, Gabriel's bell, the Tower of London, where Henry VI met his demise, and the potential burial place of the two princes. These sites, monuments, plaques, buildings, and battlegrounds serve as a testament to a journey across England and Wales, as well as a time travel back to the bloody era of the Wars of the Roses.

Weight: 860g
Dimension: 180 x 253 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399097512