War of the Roses - 1455 - 1487
Belchamp Walter in 1455 - the 15th Century
The country: 1455
According to Wikipedia:
"
The Wars of the Roses were a series of fifteenth-century English civil wars for control of the throne of England,
fought between supporters of two rival cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster,
represented by a red rose, and the House of York, represented by a white rose. Eventually, the wars eliminated the
male lines of both families. The conflict lasted through many sporadic episodes between 1455 and 1487, but there was
related fighting before and after this period between the parties.
The power struggle ignited around social and financial
troubles following the Hundred Years' War, unfolding the structural problems of bastard feudalism,[citation needed]
combined with the mental infirmity and weak rule of King Henry VI which revived interest in the House of York's claim
to the throne by Richard of York. Historians disagree on which of these factors was the main reason for the wars.
"
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Henry VII
Leanda de Lisle's book, "The Tudors: A Family Story" describes the situation relating to the Wars and gave me an
insight into some of the things happening in Belchamp Walter at the time of Henry VI'ths reign. She hints at the
expectations of the supporters of the Church in that many expected to pray for the death and chantries were common.
Congregations also were accustomed to having the clergy behind a rood screen facing away from them and conducting
their services in Latin.
Henry VII ascended to the throne after the defeat of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
