1480-1487-End of the War and Beginning of a Dynasty
    
 
                                   
1480
                                   
    November 10-Bridget of York is born to Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.                  
                                 
1483
                                   
             
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                April 9-Edward IV dies leaving his ten year old son, Edward V, as King.  
                             
                                     
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  June 22-For the first time, Richard, Duke of Gloucester claims the throne for himself on the grounds that Edward IV's marriage was invalid (due to a pre-contract), thus the two princes were illegitimate. He takes guardianship of the two Princes and takes them to the Tower of London. They are never seen again.          
             
                           
           
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              June 25-After being imprisoned by Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Anthony, 2nd Earl Rivers (brother to Elizabeth Woodville) was executed for "plotting to kill the King." It is very unlikely this charge was true.  
                         
                         
           
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      July 6-Richard is crowned King Richard III at Westminster Abbey
           
           
Above: Contemporary cartoon showing Richard III as King.
     
   
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    Late July-The Princes in the Tower officially disappear.
     
       
       
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Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, purposes Henry Tudor (who is in exile in Brittany) to return to England and rule as King with Elizabeth of York as Queen. He stages a rebellion, but Richard III is able to put it down. He was captured and later beheaded on November 2.      
             
       
1485
   
Henry Tudor, 2nd Earl of Richmond returns to England and amasses an army of 5,000 men. He has the support of the French and the Woodvilles as well as his uncle Jasper Tudor.
August 21-Henry, Duke of Richmond declares himself King.    
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August 22-Battle of Bosworth-Richard III is killed in battle. Henry Tudor is the victor, finally ending the Wars of the Roses.  
     
                                 
1486
       
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January 18-Henry VII marries Elizabeth of York. Henry also had the Henry the document declaring Edward IV's children illegitimate repealed, thus legitimizing his new wife.
       
1487
                                   
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  Even after Henry VII grants Richard III's heir, John de la Pole, a pardon, he starts a rebellion attemptin to pass of a peasant boy, Lambert Simnel, as Richard, Duke of York and son of Edward IV.          
                         
                   
Above: Pole's Seal
        
                                 
        June 16-Battle of Stoke-John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln is killed. Henry VII has now successfully secured his throne.                  
                   

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