In which century did the Wars of the Roses take place?

The Wars of the Roses took place mainly in the 15th century. This series of English dynastic conflicts began in 1455 and is generally dated to 1485, although the final Yorkist resistance was not defeated until the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487.

The opposing sides were supporters of Lancaster, associated with a red rose, and York, associated with a white rose. Both houses descended from King Edward III, making the struggle a family dispute over the English crown rather than a simple war between separate nations.

The conflict included major battles such as Towton in 1461, Barnet and Tewkesbury in 1471, and Bosworth Field in 1485. The dates can cause confusion because some historians use 1455–1485, while others extend the wars to 1487. Both periods fall within the 15th century.

Henry Tudor’s victory at Bosworth ended Richard III’s reign and began Tudor rule. Henry later married Elizabeth of York, symbolically joining the rival dynastic claims.