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What role did Margaret of Anjou play in the Wars of the Roses?

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Wars of the Roses Illustration depicting the Battle of Bosworth Field, with King Richard III on the white horse.

Margaret of Anjou was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, serving as the primary leader of the Lancastrian faction. As the queen consort of the mentally unstable Henry VI, she was driven by a fierce ambition to secure the throne for her son, Prince Edward.12

Her role included:
* Political Leadership: She became a key member of the king’s party, fiercely opposing Richard, duke of York, whom she viewed as a threat to her son’s inheritance. She successfully ousted him from power in 1456.12
* Military Resistance: Margaret was instrumental in sustaining the Lancastrian cause. She refused to accept compromises that would disinherit her son, raised rebellions, and led forces in key conflicts, including the second Battle of St. Albans.12
* Strategic Alliances: Despite previous hostilities, she reconciled with the powerful Earl of Warwick in 1470 to restore Henry VI to the throne.1

Ultimately, her efforts were defeated by the Yorkist Edward IV, leading to the death of her son and husband, and her eventual return to France.1