What were the causes of the Wars of the Roses?

The Wars of the Roses were primarily caused by political instability, dynastic disputes, and economic hardships.

The Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England from 1455 to 1487, were primarily triggered by political instability, dynastic disputes, and economic hardships. The political instability was largely due to the weak rule of Henry VI, whose mental health issues and inability to assert control over his nobles led to a power vacuum. This was exacerbated by the fact that Henry VI had no male heir for a long time, which led to uncertainty about the succession.

The dynastic disputes were between two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster, associated with the red rose, and the House of York, associated with the white rose. These disputes were rooted in the complex lineage of the Plantagenet family and the unclear succession laws of the time. The death of Edward III in 1377 and the subsequent ascension of his grandson, Richard II, sparked a power struggle among Edward III's surviving sons and their descendants. This struggle intensified after the deposition of Richard II in 1399 by Henry IV, which set a precedent for overthrowing the king.

Economic hardships also played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses. The late medieval period was a time of economic decline in England, marked by population decrease due to the Black Death, agricultural failures, and increasing taxes. These hardships led to social unrest and dissatisfaction with the ruling class, particularly among the lower classes. The nobility, on the other hand, was struggling with the loss of feudal dues and the rise of a money economy, which threatened their traditional sources of income.

Furthermore, the Hundred Years' War with France, which ended in 1453, had drained England's resources and left many nobles and soldiers unemployed and discontented. The loss of English territories in France also damaged national pride and led to a loss of prestige for the ruling class. These factors combined to create a volatile situation that eventually erupted into the Wars of the Roses.