The Late Middle English period is a time of upheaval in England.

After the deposition of Richard II of England in 1399, the House of Plantagenet had split into the House of Lancaster and the House of York, whose antagonism culminates in the Wars of the Roses from 1455 to 1487.

The civil war between the Yorkist and Lancastrian claimants to the English throne resumes in 1459 more violently.

Henry VI is captured and Richard, Duke of York, becomes Protector of England, but is dissuaded from claiming the throne.

The Lancastrians, inspired by Henry's Queen, Margaret of Anjou, resume the conflict, and Richard at the end of 1460 is killed in battle.

His eldest son is early in 1461 proclaimed King Edward IV after a crushing victory.

Social change, men coming into positions of power, some of them from other parts of the country or from lower levels in society, also result in linguistic change during this period.

Stability will come only gradually with the Tudor dynasty under Henry VII.