The War of the Roses was a dynastic struggle for the throne between the two most powerful families in England. It was a time when plate-armored knights had a dominant role on the battlefield. The Red Rose of the Lancaster won, and the Duke of York died in battle, never managing to take the English crown.
A bloody battle occurred on this day during the War of the Roses, near the town of Wakefield near York. The War of the Roses was a dynastic struggle for the throne between the two most powerful families in England. Its name is derived from the fact that both the families used a rose as their symbol; the Lancaster family had a red rose, while the York family had a white one. At the time of this battle, a king from the Lancaster dynasty was on the throne, but proved to be mentally unstable. For this reason, Richard, Duke of York and head of the York family, tried to claim the throne.
On this day the armies of the two families met on the battlefield near Wakefield. The York army was headed by the Duke himself, while the Lancasters were led by the Duke of Somerset. It was a time when plate-armored knights had a dominant role on the battlefield. The Red Rose of Lancaster won, and the Duke of York died in battle, never managing to take the English crown. His severed head was allegedly placed on the city walls of York, with the mocking inscription: “Let York overlook the town of York”.
