What was the "War of the Roses" known as in the 15th & 16th centuries?

I'm working on a novel set in London in 1582 and want a character to refer to this particular struggle for supremacy. What would they have called it?





I've read (repeatedly) that the phrase "War of the Roses", for the conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York, was coined in the 18th century. One author claimed that it was introduced by Sir Walter Scott.

What was the "War of the Roses" known as in the 15th %26amp; 16th centuries?
At the actual time it was only the white rose the Yorkists used. It was only Henry VII who introduced the red rose and then his Union idea - a skilful piece of mythmaking.


Shakesprare took up and backdated the idea in his play Henry VI part I. It MAY have been around before but I'm not sure. 1582 people could have talked about the 'contention between York and Lancaster' though.
Reply:The name is for the red and white roses on the badges worn by the Lancastrians and the Yorkists.
Reply:it was a fight over the cost of roses in a florest shop in London


the roses were way to expensive and did not last long out of water.lol
Reply:i believe it was because of some symbol associated with both houses that were roses- thus the "war of the roses"
Reply:The white rose was the symbol of the House of York, and the red rose was the symbol of the House of Lancaster. Interestingly enough, in Pennsylvania the towns of York and Lancaster sit right across the river from each other, and each uses the corresponding rose as its town emblem to this day.





I don't know what they'd have called it at that time, as it was actually a series of civil wars.