“The Wars of the Roses were the most significant challenge to royal authority in 15th-century England.” Discuss.

Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the challenges to royal authority in the 15th century and how significant they were. Candidates may focus on the instability that was a consequence of the various stages/conflicts of the Wars. Candidates may challenge the statement by referring to other challenges, such as “overmighty subjects”, the personalities and strengths of various monarchs, and questionable claims to the throne. There may be some comparison of the weak rule of Henry VI—because of his illness—and the maintenance of royal authority in the second reign of Edward IV. This may lead to the view that the Wars were the consequence of weak royal authority not a challenge in themselves. This could be further supported by examining the decline of royal authority in the years 1483–1485, which led to the last stages of the wars and the establishment of the Tudor dynasty.