Wars of the Roses

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/wars-of-the-roses

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the period of major hostilities?1455-1487, though intermittent conflict and political maneuvering extended beyond these dates
2. What were the Wars of the Roses about?They were a 30‑year fight between the Houses of Lancaster and York over who would be king of England. They used red and white roses as symbols.
3. Why did the Wars of the Roses start?The wars began because King Henry VI was weak and sometimes confused, which let Richard, Duke of York, claim the throne and start a battle over who should rule.

Dynastic Struggle: A conflict between rival royal families or branches vying for control of a throne and succession.
Feudalism: A medieval social system based on land ownership and loyalty, where lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service.
Hereditary Monarchy: A system of government where the position of king or queen is passed down through family members, usually from parent to child.
Civil War: A war between organized groups within the same state or country, often fought over political control or ideological differences.