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Topic title: How did women fight the Wars of the Roses?

Year group: 7

When taught: March to April

What are we learning?

  • Discover how the breakdown of strong kingship led to a bitter civil war in England;
  • Further explore the concepts of power and authority in the medieval period;
  • The key events of the War of the Roses;
  • How the War of the Roses led to the emergence of the Tudor dynasty after the Battle of Bosworth;
  • Look at historical events through different lenses i.e. through the women who were instrumental to the dynastic struggle during the War of the Roses.

Why is this important to know? 

  • It is important that we look at historical events from different perspectives – it is rare that we consider medieval history from the view point of women’s experiences;
  • The War of the Roses was a very significant series of events in the medieval period which helps us to understand the governing approach of the Tudors;
  • This topic helps to reinforce our understanding about power and authority in the Middle Ages – something we have been focusing on across the year so far.

Where does this link into our past and future learning? 

  • Builds on our understanding of what was expected of a medieval monarch (discussed during the Normans topic)
  • Developing our understanding of power and authority in the Middle Ages.

How will we be assessed on this topic?

  • The end of topic assessment will begin with a ten minute knowledge test (including some multiple choice questions, some non multiple-choice questions, a chronology task and a key word task).
  • This topic will also be assessed in the end of Year 7 exam.

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see?  

  • Attention to detail and use of specific examples
  • Giving balanced answers that look at different viewpoints
  • Understanding the role of different key individuals, as highlighted below.
  • Understanding concepts of change and continuity across the period.
  • Consideration of the long or short term nature of the causes/ impact/ interconnections.
  • Consideration of the relative importance of the roles of different people.
  • Regular use of key words, as highlighted below.

What key words are there in this topic?

Quizlet: Click here

  • Key words
  • Wars of the Roses: Series of dynastic civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne.
  • Lord Protector: A regent in charge of a kingdom during the minority, absence, or incapacity of the monarch.
  • Heir: The next in line for the throne.
  • Descended: Descending from an ancestor.
  • Coronation: The ceremony of crowning a monarch or a monarch’s consort.
  • House of Lancaster: The House of Lancaster was a branch of the royal House of Plantagenet.
  • House of York: The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet.
  • Claim: Someone who has the rights to something.
  • Reinforcements: Extra personnel sent to increase the strength of an army or similar force.
  • Nobles: A person of noble rank or birth.
  • Key Battles:
  • The Battle of Wakefield 1460: Richard, Duke of York is killed by Margaret of Anjou’s army
  • The Battle of Towton, 1461: The bloodiest battle on English soil. First defeat of Henry VI and first reign of Edward IV.
  • The Battle of Tewksbury, 1471: The final defeat of Henry VI, who is replaced by Yorkist King, Edward IV.
  • The Battle of Bosworth, 1485: The decisive battle in the Wars of the Roses, ending York rule. Henry VII takes power.
  • Key Individuals:
  • Henry VI: The mad Lancastrian king at the start of the Wars of the Roses
  • Margaret of Anjou: The French wife of Henry VI
  • Richard, Duke of York: Had a rival claim to the throne. Acted as Lord Protector under Henry VI.
  • Earl of Warwick: ‘The Kingmaker’ – the most powerful noble in England.
  • Edward IV: Yorkist king who took the throne from Henry VI.
  • Elizabeth Woodville: Wife of Edward IV. Created tension within the royal court.
  • Edward V: 12-year-old king and son of Edward IV. One of the princes in the tower.
  • Richard III: Yorkist uncle of Edward V and took the throne after his mysterious death…
  • Margaret Beaufort: Lancastrian political figure who organised Henry VII’s return to England.
  • Henry VII: A Lancastrian who took the throne from Richard at the Battle of Bosworth.

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?

  • Study more about female monarchs in other places – what comparisons and contrasts can you make?
  • Consider comparisons and contrasts between the three women we study in this topic.

What wider reading can be done on this topic?

 

Wars of the Rose KO