The War of the Roses was fought by the houses of York and Lancaster in England during the 15th century. This bloody and protracted conflict was a dynastic struggle for the English throne between the rival factions of the Plantagenet family. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the deposition of King Richard II in 1399, which led to a power struggle between the Lancastrian and Yorkist branches of the royal family. The Lancastrians were represented by the red rose, while the Yorkists were symbolized by the white rose, hence the name "War of the Roses." The war officially began in 1455 with the First Battle of St. Albans and lasted for over three decades, with intermittent periods of peace and violence. The most famous battles of the conflict include Towton, Barnet, and Tewkesbury, where thousands of soldiers lost their lives in brutal combat. One of the key figures in the War of the Roses was King Richard III, who famously died in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, bringing an end to the Plantagenet dynasty and paving the way for the Tudor dynasty to ascend to the throne. The War of the Roses was a turning point in English history, as it marked the end of the medieval period and the beginning of the early modern era. The conflict also had a profound impact on the political and social landscape of England, leading to the consolidation of royal power and the centralization of the government. Today, the War of the Roses is remembered as one of the most significant and dramatic episodes in English history, with its legacy still visible in the country's culture and heritage. For more information on the War of the Roses and its impact on England, you can visit the official website of the British Monarchy at www.royal.uk/war-roses or explore the resources available at the British Library's website at www.bl.uk/war-of-the-roses.

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