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Even the extent and impact of the conflict is debatable. It is a period that has not been popular with historians partly because of its confusion of motivations and personalities.

Shakespeare’s three parts of Henry VI (combined into the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s The War of the Roses) cover a period of time from 1422 to 1471, from the death of Henry V to the death of Henry VI. Worse still, when Henry VI grew up, he alternated between saintliness and insanity, two mental states which render a ruler equally unfit to rule. He came to the throne at the age of nine months (admittedly through no fault of his own), and the usual struggle for power among royal relatives ensued. Henry VI combined in one person most of the problems that monarchies can have. Things went fairly well for Henry IV, who gained land for England even better for Henry V, who added most of France and unbelievably badly for Henry VI, who lost both kingdoms and his life.

The House of Lancaster, in the person of Henry IV, usurped the throne from Richard II. What exactly is The War of the Roses about? The short answer is that it’s about the struggle between the House of Lancaster and the House of York for the throne of England.

Free download war of the roses shakespeare