Roses Aren’t Always Romantic

When we think of roses, we imagine love, passion, and Valentine’s Day confessions. But in England’s past, roses weren’t just for lovers—they were symbols of war, treachery, and royal bloodshed. The infamous Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) saw two noble houses, the House of York (white rose) and the House of Lancaster (red rose), fight tooth and nail for the English throne.

The result? A national obsession with roses, a brutal civil war, and the creation of the legendary Tudor Rose, which symbolized the end of the conflict. Today, it remains England’s iconic emblem, despite the fact that roses are also the national flowers of Bulgaria and the United States. But let’s be honest—do the British really care about sharing? Not likely.

The Origins of the Rose War: A Family Feud on Steroids

Before the Wars of the Roses, England was already a hot mess. The country had just wrapped up the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) against France, which left the economy wrecked, the nobles restless, and the kings… well, terrible at ruling.

The two rival houses, York and Lancaster, were actually branches of the same family—the Plantagenet Dynasty, which had ruled England for centuries. They descended from Edward III, a king who loved warfare but unfortunately passed on a nasty habit of fighting to his grandkids. By the 15th century, his descendants were no longer content with just family squabbles—they wanted blood.

Edward II: The King Who Loved Men More Than England

If we rewind a little, we find one of England’s most tragic (and scandalous) kings: Edward II (1284-1327). Unlike his war-hungry father, Edward I, this guy had zero interest in ruling effectively. Instead, he devoted his time (and royal treasures) to his male favorite, Piers Gaveston.

The English nobles, already irritated by Edward’s incompetence, couldn’t handle the fact that he was giving away land and titles to a man they despised. Gaveston was exiled, then executed, and Edward—distraught—turned to another male favorite, Hugh Despenser the Younger. By this point, his queen, Isabella of France, had enough.

In what could be called one of history’s most savage breakups, Isabella teamed up with her lover, Roger Mortimer, overthrew Edward, and (allegedly) had him murdered in a manner so gruesome that it still makes historians wince: a red-hot poker… well, let’s just say it wasn’t a dignified way to go.

Enter Edward III: The Original War Machine

Edward II’s son, Edward III (1312-1377), was nothing like his father. He was a warrior king, obsessed with knights, battles, and reclaiming England’s lost glory. At just 18, he launched a coup, executed his mother’s lover, and locked Isabella away.

But his true passion was war, and he spent most of his reign locked in combat with France. His claim to the French throne led to the Hundred Years’ War, where his armies crushed the French at Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), thanks to a revolutionary new weapon: the English longbow.

His son, Edward the Black Prince, followed in his father’s footsteps, terrorizing France until he died prematurely. This left the throne to his young son, Richard II, whose reign was so disastrous that it ended with the Wars of the Roses.

The Wars of the Roses: When England Became Game of Thrones

By the mid-15th century, England had a weak king (Henry VI), powerful noble families, and an economy in shambles. Enter the House of York and the House of Lancaster, both claiming the right to rule.

What followed was a bloodbath. The Wars of the Roses saw kings deposed, princes murdered in the Tower of London, and entire noble families wiped out. After three decades of chaos, a new king emerged: Henry VII, who united the feuding houses by marrying Elizabeth of York and creating the Tudor Rose, a blend of red and white that symbolized peace—at least on paper.

Final Thoughts: The Legacy of the Roses

Today, England’s love affair with the Tudor Rose continues. It’s found on royal emblems, coins, and even British passports. But let’s be honest—the real lesson from the Wars of the Roses is that royal families fight just as messily as regular ones. The only difference? When they argue, entire nations bleed.

So next time you see a rose, remember: it’s not just a symbol of love. In England, it’s a reminder of a history filled with betrayal, power struggles, and, of course, really bad kings.