This post was originally posted for the WordPress weekly Photo Challenge about symbols back in 2015
The Wars of the Roses
As a child growing up in West Yorkshire I knew that a friendly rivalry existed between Yorkshire and Lancashire, our neighbours on the other side of the Pennines. Later on at grammar school I learnt a little about the Wars of the Roses and was astonished to discover that it wasn’t a war between the two counties as I had believed, but a series of battles fought in medieval England from 1455 to 1485 between the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
The name of the battles derives from the symbols used by the two sides:
On moving to Ludlow a few years ago I found out that one of the major battles of these wars took place only a few hundred yards from where I now live. The Battle of Ludford Bridge 12 October 1459. The Yorkist factions gathered here to make a push into Worcestershire, but fell back when they encountered a large group of Lancastrians led by Henry VI. The two sides took up positions on the opposite banks of the River Teme, but many of the Yorkists deserted during the night and the rest retreated the next day. So a victory for the Lancastrians. It is such a picturesque spot now that it is hard to imagine a battle taking place here.
This post is a contribution to Fandango’s Flashback Friday. Have you got a post you wrote in the past on this particular day? The world might be glad to see it – either for the first time – or again if they’re long-time loyal readers.
Americans have occasionally made a push into Worcestershire, but invariably the sauce that wins out is ketchup.
You are funny 😆
And sometimes saucy.
Perhaps the night got too cold and people went to seek warmer places.
Probably saw how many Lancastrians were waiting and ran off into the hills!
A complex and interesting war that included the bloodiest battle fought on English soil, according to wikipedia. (I think that’s accurate, and the Yorkists won that one))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Towton
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks for that link Pete. Interesting. “…a weak, ineffectual and mentally unsound ruler” Wouldn’t know about that.
I recommend watching this TV series set during that time. It was marvellous. x
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollow_Crown_(TV_series)
I love a bit of history in the blogs especially ‘oddities’ like this one, little local anecdotes that fit into the grand overall picture. And I too would recommend the TV series The Hollow Crown.
I shall have to see if the series is still available.
Seems that lots of battles are fought in scenic areas. Lovely shots to go with the history, both of which I enjoyed.
This period of history is so interesting and also a bit confusing. So many Henrys, Edwards and Richards to keep track of. Mr ET reckons Game of Thrones is based on the War of the Roses.
Very confusing, I am hopeless at the order of the kings and queens!