2. Phases of the Wars

Phase One: The crown was seized from Henry VI by Edward IV after the Battle of Towton in 1461.

Phase Two: From (1469 to 1471) it marked the end of Lancastrian power as Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, switched loyalties. Warwick was killed at the Battle of Barnet. Prince Edward was killed at Tewkesbury. King Henry VI died in captivity.

Phase Three: Henry Tudor defeated Richard III in a challenge at the Battle of Bosworth and became King Henry VII. The Wars of the Roses ended with the defeat of a Yorkist army at the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487.