The Cousins' War*
The Wars of the Roses were fought in 15th century England for three decades between the Houses of York and Lancaster, two branches of the royal family. Each player represents one of the houses, engaging in battles and gaining influence to control England.
Played over a maximum of five rounds, each representing five to ten years of conflict, players decide the battlefield location, play action cards to deploy troops, and increase or decrease their influence in various regions. Players resolve battles through bluffing and rolling dice until one side remains, with victory solidifying their house's influence on the board. Winning requires controlling all regions of England or having the most influence by the end of the fifth round.
Nominated for 2 awards.
- 👥 2 Players
- ⏱️ 30 Minutes
- 🧒 12+ years old
- 🧩 Easy to learn
We like The Cousins' War so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2026
- Position 84 in Best games released at SPIEL 2018 in Essen
- Position 12 in Best games where players choose between action or event
- Position 27 in The best games set in the Renaissance
- Position 21 in The Best Wargames with Rules That Only Support Two Players
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