Question

what were the causes and consequences of the war of the roses, and how did it impact the political, social development of england in the 15th century?

Answer 1

The War of the Roses was caused by a succession dispute and resulted in the establishment of the Tudor dynasty, which centralized monarchical power and reduced the influence of the aristocracy. It also led to the beginning of overseas exploration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Causes and Consequences of the War of the Roses :

The War of the Roses was a series of civil wars in England during the 15th century that stemmed from a power struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster. It began after the Hundred Years' War, when domestic strife ensued as the Duke of York and the Duke of Lancaster vied for control over the young Henry VI. The cause of the conflict was deeply rooted in the question of succession and the legitimacy of the claimants to the throne. The war concluded with Henry Tudor's victory in 1485, which initiated the Tudor dynasty.

Political and Social Impact on 15th Century England :

The end of the War of the Roses brought significant political changes. The monarchy, under Henry VII, became the central political force, weakening the power of the English aristocracy. The king relied on a royal council primarily composed of middle-class citizens instead of on Parliament for governance. The use of the Star Chamber to deal with recalcitrant nobles challenged English common law traditions and further promoted the interests of the middle class. Additionally, the Tudor period saw overseas exploration begin with John Cabot's voyages, although significant colonization efforts did not immediately follow due to England's internal crises.

Answer 2

The various consequences of the Wars of the Roses may be summarised as:

an increase in the power of nobles compared to the Crown during the wars.
an increase in the use of violence and assassination as political tools.
the destruction of half the nobility of England.
the reassertion of the Crown's superiority over the nobility by the war's victor Henry VII.
the creation of the House of Tudor by Henry VII.
a continued inspiration for later writers such as William Shakespeare.

The Wars of the Roses displayed an ever-increasing tendency to use violence to achieve political aims. The strategy of murdering a king and even their young heirs was begun by Henry Bolingbroke in 1399 CE when he became Henry IV of England (r. 1399-1413 CE). The first Lancaster king usurped the throne and murdered his predecessor Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399 CE). It became feasible to convince people that the divine right of kings could be interpreted not only as any king should be descended from a king but also whoever had the competence to rule and the military power to keep it was similarly chosen by God to sit on the throne of England. In effect, the new policy was 'might is right' and eliminating one's rivals was an acceptable, even necessary manoeuvre. Once the line was crossed, there was no going back and executions, even of royal persons, became a standard feature during the next ruling dynasty, the Tudors.