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THE HOUSES OF LANCASTER, YORK and THE WAR
OF THE ROSES

The tables below outlines the major players needed to understand Richard III

Bibliography: print

Delderfield, Eric. Kings and Queens of England. N.Y. Stein and Day, 1972.

Sacco, Peter. Shakespeare's English Kings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977.

Bibliography: online:

Click here for web sites related to The British Monarch and War of the Roses. Use the General Guides and the Renaissance subdirectory.

These sites provide excellent resources including
genealogical charts:

THE LINE OF SUCCESSION: The sons of Edward III and their descendants vie for power:
The Yorkists (Edmund, Duke of York) and the Lancasterians (John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster)
KING DATES HOUSE SUCCESSION
Edward III 1312-1377 his sons begin the war 6 sons and five daughters--their infighting begins the war; his heir, Edward the Black Prince, predeceased him.
Richard II 1367-1400 Angevin murdered by Bolingbroke who becomes Henry IV. Shakespeare portrays him as week and ineffective
Henry IV 1367-1413 Lancaster ruled well, plagued with rebellion--died of leprosy in bed
Henry V 1387-1422 Lancaster the ideal hero king--wars in France; Marries Catherine of France. Died of dysentery
Henry VI 1421-1471 Lancaster becomes king at 9 months--regents rule; insane during his life; Queen Margaret rallies his forces; Yorkists under Edward, Duke of York mark that faction's revival (Battle of Towton)
Edward IV 1442-1483 York His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville causes resentment. His two sons, Edward V and Richard are allegedly killed by Richard III.
Edward V 1470-1483 York Allegedly killed by Richard III--in Shakespeare taken as a fact
Richard III 1452-1485 York The Archvillain in Shakespeare, but perhaps not in history. Killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Tudor Dynasty begins.