Wars of the Roses Part Two – The Reign of Henry VI

In this second episode of our five-part series on the Wars of the Roses, we investigate the reign of Henry VI and the start of the dynastic struggle that was the Wars of the Roses. Henry has often been blamed for the start of the conflict because of his methods of kingship. His experience with mental health challenges was little understood by his contemporaries, and arguably by historians today. This episode will explore the explosive atmosphere of his reign, what factors created it, and ultimately how the Wars of the Roses began. Curator Charles Farris is joined by Historic Royal Palaces' Head of Research Anthony Musson, and Lynsey Metcalfe who is studying for her PhD at the University of Cambridge. Read more on the life of Henry VI: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/henry-vi/