Sun of York: The War of the Roses 1453-1485

About this board game

Sun of York: The War of the Roses 1453-1485 is a two-player card game with approximately 60 minutes of play, depicting the tactical battles fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York.

Both royal houses descended from the Plantagenet line and held competing claims to the English crown. Across the struggle, players encounter major figures including the weak King Henry VI, the forceful Margaret of Anjou, the organizationally gifted King Edward IV, the charismatic Richard III, and Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick—the “King Maker.”

The game represents commanders, forces, battlefields, and unexpected developments through its card-driven components. Troop cards include Levies, Longbowmen, Knights, Cavalry, and Continental mercenaries, while terrain features and Special event cards add further variety to the engagements.

• 18 scenarios covering every major engagement and several minor battles
• Rules for creating randomly generated scenarios
• A campaign system allowing players to fight through the Wars of the Roses to their bloody conclusion
• 200 cards, two player aid sheets, and 234 status markers

Sun of York offers a focused depiction of the conflict that ultimately left both houses extinct and placed the crown with the first Tudor. Its scenarios range from individual engagements to a broader campaign, giving players multiple ways to explore this pivotal period of English history.

The original edition was desktop published and required players to assemble the game components. A boxed edition became available through GMT Games in August 2011.