The War of the Roses — United Kingdom (1485, United Kingdom)

An illustrated history story from Wonder History — free to read, with narration.

The War of the Roses — United Kingdom (1485, United Kingdom) — an illustrated history story, featuring Richard III, Henry Tudor, Elizabeth Woodville, set in United Kingdom. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

The War of the Roses — United Kingdom (1485, United Kingdom) — book cover — Wonder History
The War of the Roses — United Kingdom (1485, United Kingdom) — an illustrated history story, featuring Richard III, Henry Tudor, Elizabeth Woodville, set in United Kingdom. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

Page 1

On March 27, 1485, near the town of Leicester, King Richard III, the last Plantagenet king, faced Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, in the climactic Battle of…
On March 27, 1485, near the town of Leicester, King Richard III, the last Plantagenet king, faced Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, in the climactic Battle of Bosworth Field. Queen Elizabeth Woodville, secretly supporting Tudor, and Margaret Beaufort, his shrewd mother, awaited news that would reshape England's destiny. The fate of the Houses of York and Lancaster hung in the balance, with over 15,000 soldiers clashing amidst the muddy fields.

On March 27, 1485, near the town of Leicester, King Richard III, the last Plantagenet king, faced Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, in the climactic Battle of Bosworth Field. Queen Elizabeth Woodville, secretly supporting Tudor, and Margaret Beaufort, his shrewd mother, awaited news that would reshape England's destiny. The fate of the Houses of York and Lancaster hung in the balance, with over 15,000 soldiers clashing amidst the muddy fields. But where did this bloody conflict, now known as the War of the Roses, truly begin?

Page 2

Years before the clash at Bosworth Field, the seeds of conflict were sown. John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, surveyed his lands, remarking bitterly, "'Uneasy…
Years before the clash at Bosworth Field, the seeds of conflict were sown. John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, surveyed his lands, remarking bitterly, "'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,' as Shakespeare so eloquently put it centuries later... and these Yorkists wear it all too comfortably!" His wife, Margaret Beaufort, a woman of sharp intellect, replied, "Patience, John. Our claim is strong. We must nurture Henry, our son. He shall be king."

Years before the clash at Bosworth Field, the seeds of conflict were sown. John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, surveyed his lands, remarking bitterly, "'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,' as Shakespeare so eloquently put it centuries later... and these Yorkists wear it all too comfortably!" His wife, Margaret Beaufort, a woman of sharp intellect, replied, "Patience, John. Our claim is strong. We must nurture Henry, our son. He shall be king."

Page 3

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as the 'Kingmaker,' observed the young Edward of York. Edward was confident, but Neville had a plan.
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as the 'Kingmaker,' observed the young Edward of York. Edward was confident, but Neville had a plan. "This young king relies on charm, not strength," Warwick muttered to himself, adjusting his heavy fur cloak. He sent a coded message, a raven carrying a tiny scroll, to Margaret of Anjou, exiled in France.

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as the 'Kingmaker,' observed the young Edward of York. Edward was confident, but Neville had a plan. "This young king relies on charm, not strength," Warwick muttered to himself, adjusting his heavy fur cloak. He sent a coded message, a raven carrying a tiny scroll, to Margaret of Anjou, exiled in France.

Page 4

"The Earl of Warwick has betrayed us!" Edward IV roared, pacing the throne room of Westminster Palace. His brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, stood calmly.
"The Earl of Warwick has betrayed us!" Edward IV roared, pacing the throne room of Westminster Palace. His brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, stood calmly. "Brother, we must gather our forces. Warwick seeks to restore Henry VI to the throne." Edward slammed his fist on the table. "Let him try! England will not be ruled by a madman again!"

"The Earl of Warwick has betrayed us!" Edward IV roared, pacing the throne room of Westminster Palace. His brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, stood calmly. "Brother, we must gather our forces. Warwick seeks to restore Henry VI to the throne." Edward slammed his fist on the table. "Let him try! England will not be ruled by a madman again!"

Page 5

"I have landed in Wales!" Henry Tudor declared to his small band of supporters. "With the help of God and loyal Englishmen, we shall claim the crown!" Rhys ap…
"I have landed in Wales!" Henry Tudor declared to his small band of supporters. "With the help of God and loyal Englishmen, we shall claim the crown!" Rhys ap Maredudd, a Welsh nobleman, stepped forward. "My men are ready, Lord Tudor. We will fight for you and for England!"

"I have landed in Wales!" Henry Tudor declared to his small band of supporters. "With the help of God and loyal Englishmen, we shall claim the crown!" Rhys ap Maredudd, a Welsh nobleman, stepped forward. "My men are ready, Lord Tudor. We will fight for you and for England!"

Page 6

Richard III, at Nottingham Castle, received word of Tudor's landing. "So, the Welshman dares to challenge me?" he sneered to John Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
Richard III, at Nottingham Castle, received word of Tudor's landing. "So, the Welshman dares to challenge me?" he sneered to John Howard, Duke of Norfolk. "Let us meet him on the field of battle. I shall crush this rebellion before it gains momentum!" Howard bowed low. "Your will be done, Your Majesty."

Richard III, at Nottingham Castle, received word of Tudor's landing. "So, the Welshman dares to challenge me?" he sneered to John Howard, Duke of Norfolk. "Let us meet him on the field of battle. I shall crush this rebellion before it gains momentum!" Howard bowed low. "Your will be done, Your Majesty."

Page 7

Before the battle, Lord Stanley, a powerful nobleman whose loyalties were uncertain, sent a message to Henry Tudor: "'The course of true love never did run…
Before the battle, Lord Stanley, a powerful nobleman whose loyalties were uncertain, sent a message to Henry Tudor: "'The course of true love never did run smooth,' as the playwright said, nor does the path to a crown. I can only commit a handful of men but I will commit them at the most opportune moment." This was not much, but it gave Henry hope.

Before the battle, Lord Stanley, a powerful nobleman whose loyalties were uncertain, sent a message to Henry Tudor: "'The course of true love never did run smooth,' as the playwright said, nor does the path to a crown. I can only commit a handful of men but I will commit them at the most opportune moment." This was not much, but it gave Henry hope.

Page 8

Charging into battle, Richard spotted Henry near the standard, unguarded, and raised his axe, shouting, "Treason will not stand!" He lowered his head and rode…
Charging into battle, Richard spotted Henry near the standard, unguarded, and raised his axe, shouting, "Treason will not stand!" He lowered his head and rode, but Sir William Stanley's men attacked, surrounding him. "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" he cried but to no avail.

Charging into battle, Richard spotted Henry near the standard, unguarded, and raised his axe, shouting, "Treason will not stand!" He lowered his head and rode, but Sir William Stanley's men attacked, surrounding him. "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" he cried but to no avail.

Page 9

After the battle, Margaret Beaufort found her son. As he kneeled in prayer, she approached, gazing with fierce pride at the new king.
After the battle, Margaret Beaufort found her son. As he kneeled in prayer, she approached, gazing with fierce pride at the new king. He turned toward her, seeing the crown in her eyes. "Mother, we have won," Henry said softly, a heavy weight lifting from his shoulders. "The Houses of York and Lancaster are united at last through our house."

After the battle, Margaret Beaufort found her son. As he kneeled in prayer, she approached, gazing with fierce pride at the new king. He turned toward her, seeing the crown in her eyes. "Mother, we have won," Henry said softly, a heavy weight lifting from his shoulders. "The Houses of York and Lancaster are united at last through our house."

Page 10

Henry VII's victory at Bosworth Field marked the end of the War of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. He married Elizabeth of York, solidifying…
Henry VII's victory at Bosworth Field marked the end of the War of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. He married Elizabeth of York, solidifying his claim and uniting the warring houses. The Tudor Rose, a symbol combining the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York, became the emblem of a new era of relative peace and prosperity for England, its people looking toward the future.

Henry VII's victory at Bosworth Field marked the end of the War of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. He married Elizabeth of York, solidifying his claim and uniting the warring houses. The Tudor Rose, a symbol combining the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York, became the emblem of a new era of relative peace and prosperity for England, its people looking toward the future.

About this story

  • Historical figures: Richard III, Henry Tudor, Elizabeth Woodville
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Period: Middle Ages
  • Audience: general readers

Questions and answers

Questions and answers about The War of the Roses — United Kingdom (1485, United Kingdom)

Read Wonder History on your phone

Wonder History is available on Android. Get Wonder History on Google Play.

More Wonder History stories

All Wonder History stories · Open the library