The Causes of the Wars of the Roses: Part One, Henry VI

On 31 August 1422 Henry V, England’s finest king, died aged 35. His successor, Henry VI was only 9 months old and so his uncle, and Henry V’s brother, John, Duke of Bedford, became regent and continued the war in France. The young Henry was a gentle child, and most worrying for England he lacked a monarch as mentor, and so little understanding of how to handle the politics of kingship in the 15th century. The consequences would be severe as the Wars of the Roses would erupt in 1455 for a number of reasons, chief among them Henry VI.

Joining to discuss the causes is historian and author Derek Birks, whose new book A Guide to the Wars of the Roses is out, and David Pilling, also a historian and author and his latest novel is Kingbreaker, set during the Wars of the Roses. So we look into why it broke out, a clash so catastrophic it chewed up four kings as well as countless nobles and peasants. In part one we discuss Henry VI. Part two, out on Wednesday, examines the factions involved.

Links

A Guide to the Wars of the Roses, by Derek Birks

Kingbreaker: Rebel and Traitor, by David Pilling

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