1461-65 (lancastrian resistance) Flashcards
Introduction:
The Battle of Towton irretrievably broke the back of the Lancastrians. Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou and Prince Edward might have survived and taken refuge in Scotland, but the untold scale of the carnage shattered the ranks of their supporters. Towton did prove decisive, yet this did not preclude stubborn pockets of Lancastrian resistance and attempted Lancastrian invasions between 1461 and 1465. The greatest threats emerged in northern England, most notably Northumberland where resistance became centred on the formidable castles of Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh. Much of this resistance was facilitated by the kingdoms of France and Scotland. Ultimately, though, the Yorkists managed to crush this resistance
1461 - April
Margaret of Anjou seeks Scottish support by handing Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Scots. The Scottish king, James III, is a minor, and the government is largely controlled by his mother, Mary of Guelders. Margaret also promises the Scots can have Carlisle, although she - and the Scots - are unable to seize hold of the town
1461 - July
- Warwick is appointed warden of both the East and West Marches (the borderland frontiers of northern England)
- Death of Charles VII of France; accession of Louis XI of France. Louis did not get on well with his father Charles, and Charles had been sympathetic to Margaret and the Lancastrian cause. Louis, before becoming king, seemed receptive to the Yorkists
1461 - September
Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh (castles held by Lancastrians in Northumberland) surrender to Warwick and his brother John Neville, Lord Montagu/Marquis of Montagu
1461 - November
Alnwick Castle is seized for the Lancastrians by Sir William Tailboys
1462 - June
Brief Anglo-Scottish truce (benefiting the Yorkists) that lasts until August
1462 - 24th June
Agreement of Chinon. Margaret secures the (tentative) support of the French king, Louis XI. In return Louis is to be given Calais. However, the Duke is Phillip of Burgundy is opposed to this and Calais is therefore beyond the grasp of Louis. His support for Margaret wanes and Louis only provides a small contingent of 800 French mercenaries (people who fill fight for money), for which Louis doesn’t even have to pay their wages
1462 - October
French-supported Lancastrian force lands in Northumberland. The 800-strong French contingent is led by the experienced Pierre de Brézé. Making landfall near Bamburgh Castle, the gates of Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Alnwick castles open to the invasion force, the Lancastrians effectively retaking control of Northumberland. Alarmed at this invasion and the loss of these strategic castles, Edward IV summons the nobility and prepares an army
1462 - November
A substantial Yorkist army gathers in the south. Edward IV now has an entourage of 38 lords among his army, compared to about 11 at Towton. Margaret, not wanting to become trapped, places garrisons in the castles and on 13 November sails north for Berwick. Despite fierce storms Margaret and de Brézé reach Berwick; some of their army are not so fortunate, being driven ashore at Lindisfarne and killed or captured by Yorkists. Edward IV does not advance any further north than Durham, suffering from a bout of measles
1462 - December
Warwick and Lord Montagu (John Neville, Warwick’s brother) take a force north and invest (besiege) the three castles. Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh surrender on 27 December
Henry Beaufort, duke of Somerset, participates in the subsequent siege of Alnwick - but on the Yorkist side! This is the result of Edward IV adopting a policy of reconciliation, which itself may well have been the result of continued Lancastrian opposition and Edward’s desire to end this
On 29 December Somerset submits to Warwick and simultaneously surrenders Bamburgh to the Yorkists. Sir Ralph Percy also submits, surrenders Dunstanburgh and is reconciled with the Yorkist regime. Surprisingly, In early 1463, Percy is given custody of Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh castles. Sir Ralph Gray is also reconciled and is given custody of Alnwick Castle (following its capture in January 1463)
1463 - January
De Brézé leads a relief force into Northumberland from Scotland. Warwick temporarily lifts the siege of Alnwick, being wary of the relief force and knowing his own troops are tired and suffering from a long siege. The Lancastrian garrison makes a break for it and heads north into Scotland escorted by de Brézé’s troops. Warwick and Montagu seize the now deserted Anwick Castle. [Some historians criticise Warwick for allowing the garrison to escape, suggesting that Edward IV wouldn’t have let this happen. In Warwick’s defence, his army was not in the best condition having besieged the northern castles for several weeks in the teeth of a northern winter]
1463 - March/April
Margaret of Anjou invades Northumberland. The Lancastrians are supported by Scottish troops and backed by Louis XI. Ralph Percy immediately opens the gates of Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh castles to Margaret; Gray opens the gates of Alnwick (betraying the Yorkists)
1463 - June
Warwick leads a strong royal army northward. He joins up with Montagu who Edward has recently made Warden of the East and Middle Marches. The Lancastrian/Scottish army besieges Norham Castle and batters it with artillery: Margaret of Anjou, Prince Edward (aged 9) and Mary of Guelders are all present. Intimidated by this Yorkist force, however, the Scots retreat; Warwick and Montagu pursue them across the border into Scotland. Margaret and Prince Edward sail for Burgundy. Henry VI’s ship sinks and he takes refuge in Edinburgh. It’s the last time Henry will see his wife and son
1463 - Summer
Anglo-French truce agreed. Margaret of Anjou and Prince Edward take exile in France (Lorraine)
1463 - December
Edward IV’s envoys negotiate a truce with the Scots. The truce is to remain in place until October 1464. Scotland withdraws its support for the Lancastrians. Henry VI is returned to England and placed in the Lancastrian-held Bamburgh Castle
