War of the Roses (15th century English conflict)

The War of the Roses (1455-1487) was a series of civil conflicts in England between two noble families, the House of Lancaster and the House of York, both vying for the throne. The name comes from the symbols of the families: a red rose for Lancaster and a white rose for York. The war was driven by disputes over royal succession, political power, and noble interests. It ended with Henry Tudor (Lancaster) defeating Richard III (York) at the Battle of Bosworth Field, establishing the Tudor dynasty. The conflict significantly shaped English history, governance, and monarchy.