Henry IV. was in York on several occasions, chiefly because of rebellions.  The house of Percy, which engaged frequently in revolt and faction, led the rebellion of 1403 in which Henry Percy, called Hotspur, was killed at the battle of Shrewsbury.  Harry Hotspur, whom Shakespeare made in accordance with tradition the fiery and valorous counterpart of Prince Hal, Henry IV.’s heir and Falstaff’s companion, was buried in the Minster.  When Archbishop Scrope headed a revolt, also not unconnected with the Percies, from York and was arrested, Henry IV. hastened to York, and the popular archbishop was executed forthwith, a royal and sacrilegious deed that caused intense indignation especially among the people of York, who for some months lost the right of local government as a result of this affair.

The Wars of the Roses (1455-1485), a long internecine feud between kings, lords, and landed gentry, affected the towns but little.  The baronage suffered heavily, the middle class lightly.  No town ever stood a siege, while Towton was the only battle in which the common soldiers had heavy losses.  Warwick made it a practice to spare the commoners, whereby he conciliated the people.  Under Yorkist rule, after the decisive battle of Towton (1461) England can be described as not unprosperous.  One very notable feature was the immense amount of building that was done, and that not so much of castles, as of country houses, churches, and cathedrals, so many of which splendidly adorn the land to-day.  The only people seriously affected by the Wars of the Roses were the main participants.  Compared with modern warfare, which is unabated scientific extermination, mediaeval warfare was often of the nature of a mild adventure.  The size of the opposing forces was very small even compared with the scanty population.  The chief weapons were lances, swords, long-bows, and cross-bows, but protective armour was worn.  The fighting was generally sporadic and desultory and the casualties were very few.

It was at York that Henry VI. awaited the news of the result of the battle of Towton.  Edward IV. entered York as victor after the battle.  York, like other cities at the time, took care to maintain the good graces of both sets of combatants.  Although through the Wars of the Roses national parliamentary government ultimately broke down and gave way to the strong personal kingship of Henry VII., the towns, which actually suffered little, increased their local powers.  Civic government developed much and trade flourished during the century.

York had a good friend in Richard, Duke of Gloucester.  The city was very loyal to him and helped him by raising troops in his support.  When he visited York he was received with immense festivity and magnificence.  The Mayor and Corporation in their correspondence with him addressed him as “our full tender and especial good lord.”  They had to thank him “for his great labour now late made unto ye king’s good grace for the confirmation of the liberties of this city.”  But for his death at Bosworth, York would have benefited greatly by his munificence.