3. Causes of the War

Although there were several reasons why the wars continued over four decades, the main causes for the initial outbreak were

1-    The tradition of killing kings and their Heirs that started with Henry IV of England (previously known as Henry Bolingbroke, r. 1399-1413 CE), the first Lancaster king, who seized the throne and assassinated his predecessor Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399 CE)

2-    The ineffectual rule of Henry VI of England (r. 1422-61 & 1470-71 CE) who ascended the throne as a newborn. Carwigh explained that this meant a “ruling council governed England and two regents, appointed by Henry V, ruled England and the Crown’s French territories respectively: Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (l. 1390-1447 CE) and John, Duke of Bedford (l. 1389-1435 CE). Both were uncles of the infant King Henry, and a third important figure in this period was Henry’s great-uncle, Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester”.  Such a situation of divided power was an opportunity for exploitation by any baron eager to promote his own position at the expense of any rivals. His government was controlled by his Uncles until he reached adulthood. As an adult, Henry VI ascertained to be a weak king and by appointing his favourites he caused senior nobles disapproval.

3-     The ambition of Richard, Duke, of York (b. 1411 CE) and then his son Edward (b. 1442 CE). Richard, the Duke of York was now the Protector of the Realm but he wanted more. The duke wanted to be nominated as Henry VI’s heir (at the time he had no children). Richard was the great-grandson of Edward III of England and the nephew of the Earl of March who himself had claimed he was the legitimate heir to Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399 CE). Richard was also seen by some as a representative of reform “a man who could sort out the corrupt government of Henry VI and restore England’s waning economic and military fortunes. Richard, too, had the support of such powerful families as the Nevilles of Middleham who sought allies in their own struggles with the Percy family and others”. (Carwigh 2020)

4-    Nobility’s race for wealth and land-owning switching allegiance for their own benefit. Historians named it “Bastards Feudalism” which consisted of landlords making their own armies and having numerous illegitimate sons to protect the lands and raid each other. Consequently, allegiances were thus transferred from the Crown to the local baron.

5-    The financial crisis of that period especially after the Black Death and the high taxes during the long wars with France.

6-     Disparities over relations with France during and after the Hundred Years War and the lands beyond the channel especially the loss of Normandy.

7-    The unproven crimes of Richard, Duke of Gloucester (b. 1452 CE), who was the younger brother of Edward IV. Richard was on his brother’s side in several battles had against the Lancastrians but he was ambitious for the Crown. Richard was not convinced that peace with France was the best policy and may have disagreed with Edward over his treatment of George, Duke of Clarence. Edward died unexpectedly in 1483 CE and Richard saw this as an opportunity. The king was succeeded by his son Edward (b. 1470 CE), but he was only 12 years old. Certainly, the barons hanged around the immature monarch looking for supremacy. According to different historians, young Edward V of England never made it to the coronation. Since Edward and his younger brother Richard (b. 1473 CE) were held captive in the Tower of London and were named ‘Princes in the Tower’ (Delinguer, 2013). Richard had been nominated by Edward IV as the Protector of the Realm, but when the two princes disappeared “it was widely thought that Richard had murdered them - a general accusation adopted by later Tudor historians and William Shakespeare (1564-1616 CE). In 1483 CE the Duke made himself king, Richard III” (Carwigh 2020). This terrible crime made many nobles change sides, as even pro-Yorkists were alarmed at the act. Under Henry Tudor’s lead, the Lancastrians saw their chance to regain the crown.

8-     The ambition of Henry Tudor (b. 1457 CE) to become king. Henry Tudor had strong allies: the Duke of Buckingham who was against Richard’s distribution of domains and the new king across the Channel, Charles VIII of France (r. 1483-1498 CE). Edward, Richard III’s son and heir died in 1484 CE, and the Lancastrians seized the opportunity.