A. Contemporary Sources
- Many contemporary chroniclers described the battles, intrigues, and shifting loyalties but did not necessarily frame them as a unified conflict.
- The use of floral symbolism was not as prominent or consistent.
B. The Complexity of Factionalism
The wars were not simply two-sided. Many nobles changed sides for personal gain or survival, making the conflict a complex web of alliances rather than a clear-cut dynastic war.
Impact of Tudor Historical Narrative on Later Perceptions
A. Education and Literature
The Tudor framing of the Wars of the Roses dominated English historical understanding for centuries:
- School curricula and historical texts repeated the idea of a "dynastic war" of red versus white roses.
- The Tudor rose became a national symbol of unity.
B. Political Use Beyond the Tudors
Later monarchs and politicians invoked the Tudor narrative to promote national unity and justify central authority. shutdown123