CASTLE IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES

The Wars of the Roses is one of the most dramatic and fascinating periods in medieval history. Much has been written about the leading personalities, bitter dynastic rivalries, political intrigues, and the rapid change of fortune on the battlefields of England and Wales. However, there is one aspect that has been often overlooked, the role of castles in the conflict. Dan Spencer's original study traces their use from the outbreak of civil war in the reign of Henry VI in the 1450s to the triumph of Henry VII some 30 years later. Chronological chapters include an overview of castles, the Battle of St Albans 1455, York and Lancaster, Civil War 1459-61 and the Battle of Towton, The Yorkist Supremacy and Lancastrian rebellion and fall of Harlech castle in 1468, Edward IV lose then regain his throne, and the Anglo-Scottish war of 1480-2. Plus the Battle of Stoke in 1487 and there are brief biographies of key figures and recorded and possible sieges and garrisons 1455-87. Using a wide range of narrative, architectural, financial and administrative sources and documents produced by the Chancery and the Exchequer, and the Paston Letters, Dan Spencer sheds new light on the place of castles within the conflict, demonstrating their importance as strategic and logistical centres, bases for marshalling troops, and as fortresses. Dan Spencer's book provides a fascinating contribution to the literature on the Wars of the Roses and to the study of siege warfare in the Middle Ages with vivid accounts of major episodes associated with castles during the conflict, including the Siege of Bamburgh castle in 1464 which marked the end of a four-year long struggle for control of Northumberland. 26 castle illus including Harlech, Ludlow and Bodiam, 5 plans of castles including Denbigh and Raglan. Colour illus. maps 256 pages.