The Wars of the Roses in England paved the way for monumental changes in the English monarchy. It was a civil war in England that lasted thirty years, from 1455 to 1487. This war was more destructive than the Hundred Years' War. The Wars of the Roses was a fight to claim the throne between two families, Edward III and Henry IV. Edward was of the Yorkist faction and Henry of Lancaster. Roses were the symbols of the house. Shakespeare used the symbolism of roses and war to produce his historical plays and to express his opinion on monarchy. Understanding where the Wars of the Roses began means starting from the end of the Plantagenets, from the sudden changes in power and from women in power. Edward III was crowned king at fourteen and assumed rule at seventeen in 1330. At the start of the Hundred Year War in 1337, Edward invaded France and claimed the throne of France. He led the victor across the sea at Slays in 1340 and invaded Brittany in 1342. Four years later he landed in Normandy to defeat the French king Philip IV at the Battle of Crecy. His son Edward, the Black Prince, repeated his father's success at Poitiers in 1356. By 1360, Edward controlled over a quarter of France. His success gained the support of the nobles, reduced taxes and improved relations with Parliament. However, its failures abroad have drawn criticism. The elderly king retired from Windsor for the remainder of his reign. (History of the Monarchy)Richard II, grandson of Edward III and son of the Black Prince, ascended the throne after the death of Edward III. His father, the Black Prince, also died, thus leaving him the rightful heir. He ascended the throne at the age of ten. In 1381 the peasants' revolt broke out and Richard went to meet Elizabeth's successor. Elizabeth died in 1603 leaving the throne to James, a descendant of Henry VII's daughter Margaret. James I was also James VI of Scotland, so his rule united two kingdoms. In particular, James ordered a translation of the Bible, called the Authorized King James Version. He was often in controversy with Parliaments which did not create good publicity. While the kingdom was on the brink of war with Spain, James died in 1625. The changing powers created unstable kingdoms and increased sensitivity in England. Every monarch had difficulty maintaining a good impression of himself. Complicated family ties created animosity and confusion between the royal families which resulted in revenge. The Wars of the Roses caused a significant impact on the Lancastrian and Yorkist domains. Much of the history of the English monarchy influenced Shakespeare in his writings.