1455 facts for kids

The year 1455 was a time of important changes and events, especially in England. This year saw the start of a long conflict known as the Wars of the Roses. It was also a big year for books, as the first Bible was printed using a new machine!

Different Ways to Count Years

Did you know that not everyone uses the same calendar? In 1455, people in different parts of the world were counting years differently.

• The Buddhist calendar was in its 1997th and 1998th years.
• The Hebrew calendar was in its 5215th and 5216th years.
• The Islamic calendar was in its 859th and 860th years.

Key Events of 1455

This year was packed with significant moments, especially for England's history.

The Start of the Wars of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses was a series of battles fought between two powerful families in England: the House of York (who used a white rose as their symbol) and the House of Lancaster (who used a red rose). Both families wanted to control the throne of England.

Richard of York Loses His Job

On February 9, Richard, Duke of York, was a very powerful noble. He had been appointed "Protector" of England. This meant he was in charge because King Henry VI of England was often unwell. However, in February 1455, he was removed from this important role. This made the tensions between the York and Lancaster families even worse.

Gutenberg Prints the First Bible

A truly amazing event happened on February 23. Johannes Gutenberg used his new printing press to print the very first Bible. This was a huge step for books and learning! Before this, books had to be copied by hand, which was very slow and expensive. The printing press made it possible to make many copies quickly and more cheaply.

The First Battle of St Albans

The first major battle of the Wars of the Roses happened on May 22. This was called the First Battle of St Albans.

• Who Fought? On one side were the Yorkists, led by Richard, Duke of York and his strong ally, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. On the other side were the Lancastrians, who supported King Henry VI.
• What Happened? The Yorkists won the battle. A key Lancastrian leader, Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, was killed.
• The King is Captured: After the battle, Richard, Duke of York, captured King Henry VI. He then made himself the "Constable of England," which was another very powerful position.

King Henry VI's Monarchy Renewed

Just a few days later, on May 25, the victorious Yorkist lords held a special ceremony. They gathered at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Here, they officially showed their support for King Henry VI as the ruler of England, even though he was now under Yorkist control. This was a way to show that they were not trying to take over the kingdom, but rather to "help" the king.

See also

• In Spanish: 1455 para niños