The Wars of the Roses were a series of wars for control of the throne of England. They were fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet, those of Lancaster and York. The conflict spanned through several sporadic episodes between 1455 and 1487, However, there was fighting before and after this period surrounding the same issue. The conflict resulted from social and financial troubles that followed the Hundred Years' War, combined with the mental infirmity and weak rule of Henry VI which revived interest in Richard, Duke of York's claim to the throne. With the Duke of York's passing, the claim transferred to his heir, Edward, who later became the first Yorkist king of England as, Edward IV. Upon King Edward's death, the throne past to his younger brother