war of the roses

• the war of the roses began on may 22nd 1455, between the yorkists (led by Richard of York) and the Lancastrians led by Henry VII
• in 1485, whilst in exile in Paris, Henry VII gained the support of 5000 men against Richard III, showing he was power hungry
• on the 22nd of August 1485, The battle of Bosworth was won by the lancastrians as Henry slayed Richard on the battlefield, seizing the throne through the right of conquest
• Richard III had proclaimed himself King after locking Edward V and his younger brother Richard in the tower of London, and he called off edwards coronation on June 24th, 1483
• richards seizure of the throne caused disunity in England, so H7 gained the support of experienced and influential men from England, France, and wales in order to overthrow Richard