10. A New Dynasty—and a Hybrid Rose
The Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485, marked the end of the Wars of the Roses, with Henry Tudor defeating King Richard III. Following his victory, Henry married Elizabeth of York, uniting the warring houses of Lancaster and York. This union led to the creation of the Tudor rose, combining the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York into a single emblem. The Tudor rose became the national emblem of England, symbolizing peace and unity (royalcentral.co.uk). The emblem features a red rose with a white center, representing the fusion of the two houses. It is prominently displayed in various symbols of England, including the royal coat of arms and the uniforms of the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London. The establishment of the Tudor dynasty by Henry VII and the adoption of the Tudor rose marked a new era in English history, ending decades of civil war and heralding a period of relative stability.
