Civil wars in England 1455-85 between the
houses of Lancaster (badge, red rose) and
York (badge, white rose): 1455 Opened with
battle of St Albans 22 May, a Yorkist victory
(Henry VI made prisoner). 1459-61 War renewed
until Edward IV, having become king,
confirmed his position by a victory at Towton
29 Mar 1461. 1470 Warwick (who had helped
Edward to the throne) allied instead with
Henry VI's widow, Margaret of Anjou, but was
defeated by Edward at Barnet 14 Apr and by
Margaret at Tewkesbury 4 May. 1485 Yorkist
regime ended with the defeat of Richard III
by the future Henry VII at Bosworth 22 Aug.
The name was given in the 19th century by
novelist Walter Scott.