It was a series of dynastic civil wars between the supporters of the competing houses of Lancaster and York for the throne of England. This war are generally accepted to have been fought in several spasmodic episodes between 1455 and 1485(related fighting were there before this period) This war ended with the Earl of Richmond, Henry Tudor, the founder of the House of Tudor which subsequently ruled England for 117 years, emerging as the victory.
,
The name 'War of Roses' as used today is because,

The story is continued at http://ondisday.blogpost.com