The Wars of the Roses for A Level
Diary of Resources and Additions
Note: Most recent additions are at the top
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My textbook went out of print in 2020 so is no longer available from Hodder Education. However if any teacher would like a copy of the proofs please get in touch – contact details HERE … The book's Teachers’ Support Material can still be downloaded HERE … |
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Online talks on Richard III and on the battle of Mortimer’s Cross Dr Carolyn Donohue, York St John University. York’s ‘Most Famous Prince’: Richard III, the City and its Citizens Professor Sarah Rees Jones, University of York One year in York’s troubled relationship with Richard III, 1476-1477 Sean Cunningham, The Battle of Mortimer’s Cross (and other talks on Mortimer’s Cross and much else linked to the Mortimer family)
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History of Parliament blogs on the Wars of the Roses The research historians at the medieval section of the History of Parliament Trust write regular blogs linked to their work on The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, for example on the battles of Blore Heath, Mortimer’s Cross and Towton, on the 1459 Parliament and other topics. You can find the blogs here:
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Four Activities for A level on Richard III Resources created by Andrew Wallace to help students deepen their understanding and knowledge of the events of 1483. See the resources HERE … |
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Film: Professor Anne Curry speaking about Agincourt and Bosworth In this talk, Professor Anne Curry compares the battles of Agincourt and Bosworth, exploring the theme of what we know and what we don’t know. Anne is THE recognised expert on Agincourt and has co-written a book on excavations at Bosworth. The talk is on behalf of the Battlefields Trust and is split into two halves which you can find on You Tube here: |
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Newsletter 2: August 2020 This newsletter contains details of resources provided by or about:
See information about these resources HERE … |
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Lauren Johnson: Resources for schools and ‘Meet the Historian’ Lauren is a historian, historical interpreter and author whose books include Shadow King: The Life and Death of Henry VI. She is looking to create interactive and downloadable resources for A level students and teachers, particularly around the Wars of the Roses. See information about these resources and Lauren’s contact details HERE … |
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Newsletter 1: June 2020 This newsletter contains details of resources provided by or about The Richard III Society. The History of Parliament Trust, The Parliament Rolls, The Tudor Chamber Books project and The National Archives on The Treaty of Troyes. See information about these resources HERE … |
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Richard III and the problem of how to secure the south A case-study for A level students exploring the changes in the Wiltshire Commission of the Peace during Richard’s reign to exemplify Richard’s options and decisions in the wake of the 1483 rebellion. See the activity HERE … |
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Dr Katherine Lewis discusses Henry VI and masculinity In this short interview Dr Lewis discusses some of her thoughts on Henry VI, linked to her book Kingship and Masculinity in late Medieval England (Routledge, 2013, 284pp) See the interview on YouTube HERE … |
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An illustrated life of Edward IV This manuscript is shown and discussed in a British Library blog (see near the end of the blog) – five pairs of coloured miniatures each show an event in Edward IV’s career on the right, with its biblical precedent on the left. A potential revision activity for A level students – can they identify the events from their knowledge of the reign? See the BL blog HERE … |
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In Our Time: Margaret of Anjou This edition was broadcast in May 2018 and featured Joanna Laynesmith, Katherine Lewis and James Ross Hear it on iPlayer HERE … |
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The Wars of the Roses: an introductory reading list for new A level teachers A short list of suggestions for anyone new to teaching this topic at A level on this website HERE …. |
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HA Resources for Later Medieval History The HA has put online a range of open-access resources which are particularly valuable for A level students studying the Wars of the Roses … See a summary of the resources [ HERE … ] and a link to the HA website. |
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Fishpool Hoard: Evidence of Lancastrian Resistance 1461-4? A puzzle from the 1460s – why was this large collection of coins and jewellery buried? See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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Edward IV: for new A level Teachers Recommendations for reading on Edward IV including Tony Pollard's The Summer King. See the recommendations [ HERE … ] |
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Understanding the links between nobles and gentry Another activity from Helen Snelson who teaches in York which helps students understand the links between and pressures on gentry and nobles around 1460. See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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Using articles on the 1450s with students Two activities and articles provided by Helen Snelson that she’s used with her A level students. See the activities [ HERE … ] |
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Battle cards, tweets and mini-sagas A set of simple resources and ideas (using the example of the Wars of the Roses) which may be useful for A level teachers – of any topic. See the ideas [ HERE … ] |
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Anne Herbert: A Life in the Wars of the Roses
This activity uses Anne’s life as an introduction to the period for A level students, providing a more individual, personal way in to what can be an intimidating set of political and military events. There’s a puzzle to begin with, a wedding, a Grand Design, a will and plenty of battles and drama - all seen all through the experience of one woman. See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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The Wars of the Roses – a light-hearted outline! This very structured role-play started life as one of my SHP Conference Saturday nights way back in 2006 – I’ve added it to the website in case it provides A level teachers with a quick (an hour or so) overview of events from 1450 to 1485. My thanks to Matt Springett for remembering the original event and prompting me to find the script and turn it into something that’s hopefully useful. The activity can be used as an overview before students move into detail or study Henry VII. It’s meant to be fun, has lots of class participation and it’s not meant to include everything! See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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Why did Burgundy help Edward IV win back his crown in 1471? This brief role-play explores why Burgundy helped Edward IV in 1471, focussing on the effect of French aggression towards Burgundy on Burgundy’s attitude. See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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Understanding the Pattern of Events 1455-1461 Three brief activities exploring the pattern of events between 1455 and 1461 – a physical timeline, a brief role-play and a decision-making activity. See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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Feuds and alliances 1452-1455 A new, brief activity enabling students to work out how feuds led to alliances and how these alliances determined the sides at the first battle of St. Albans. See the activity [ HERE … ] |
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New Outline for The Wars of the Roses
So the two mocked up book spreads [ HERE …] provide that summary in text form as an alternative or supplement. These could be used alongside that timeline or independently or whenever you like really! Any feedback on how and when you might use these is always welcome. |
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The Wars of the Roses Part 1: Rivalries and Alliances (1450-1455) An introduction to the events leading up to the first battle of St. Albans, the first of a series of activities which will outline the key events of the period of the Wars of the Roses. This activity is similar to another activity on the site on the events of 1452-1455 [HERE] but the differences are important:
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Royal Family Tree PowerPoint (1399-1461) The whole family tree of Edward III’s descendants can be intimidating. To avoid over-powering students this PowerPoint provides a sequence of 5 screens which gradually build up the royal family tree. MORE … |
Family Tree PowerPoint slides
Download here as a PDF or as a PowerPoint |
1471: Why did Edward IV win the throne back? A starter activity to get students thinking about an answer before they know anything! HERE … |
The beginning of the Wars of the Roses A role-play on the events of 1452-1455 HERE … |
Anne has become something of an obsession of mine, leading to writing an article published in the HA’s magazine The Historian 
In writing my recent A level book I was never sure whether the timeline/living graph at the beginning was the best kind of summary.