Birth of the Red Dragon: Wales and the Wars of the Roses

The importance of Wales in the Wars of the Roses has never been given the prominence it deserves. From the landing of Richard Duke of York at Denbigh in September 1450 to the death of his youngest son and namesake, Richard III, at Bosworth in 1485, Wales and its resources were central to the conflict. Wales and the Marches provided the strength for Richard Duke of York, calling upon the old Mortimer affinity, to challenge the rule of Henry VI, not only in 1450 but again in 1452 and 1455. In...