1464-69 Flashcards
1
Q
Edward IV’s problems 1461-69
A
- policy of reconciliation = failed attempt to win over former Lancastrians (Somerset, Percy) = temporary loss of Northumberland castles = BUT not a critical problem, over by 1464/65 + not necessarily Edward’s fault
- Ed IV to blame = Woodville marriage, humiliated Warwick
- Warwick to blame = unnecessarily bitter towards Woodville’s (they weren’t actually that politically powerful), disobeyed Edward, Redesdale Rising ‘69
2
Q
Why is Edward to blame for his problems 1461-69? WOODVILLE MARRIAGES
A
- Woodville marriage (1464) = sheer number of Woodville marriages to high nobility = appear to be new favourites
- e.g. betrothal of Elizabeth’s eldest son to Anne Holland (only child of Duke of Exeter) = infuriated Warwuck as he had already arranged a marriage of Anne to his nephew
- severely intensified Warwick’s opposition to Edward - especially since Edward had rejected his request to marry his daughter, Isabel, to Edward’s eldest brother = unable to cement his political position
- humiliated Warwick with marriage = Edward did it in secret May 1464, while Warwick had negotiated a marriage with Bona of Savoy = also costed Edward a strong diplomatic marriage to consolidate kingship
- Woodville marriage unpopular with nobility
3
Q
Why was Edward to blame for his problems 1461-69? (FOREIGN POLICY)
A
- further disrespected Warwick - negotiates a treaty with burgundy while Warwick is trying to to negotiate a treaty with France, which was more favourable for the Woodvilles
- George Neville was dismissed as chancellor in 1467 due to him not actively supporting Burgundian foreign policy, although justifiable by Edward because he is king - it makes Warwick feel more insecure in his position
4
Q
Edward IV’s problems were caused by himself 1461-69? POLICY OF RECONCILIATION
A
- failure to gain more noble support
- Percy’s were given custody of Bamburgh, Dustanburgh + Alnwick castle in 1462 after they were seized by Warwick - BUT they both open their gates to Margaret’s invasion
- Somerset also joined Yorkist cause for a short period = participated in the siege of Alnwick in 1462 BUT betrayed Ed in 1464 by joining the Lancastrians + Henry VI at Bamburgh castle after their invasion failed
- HOWEVER, this mistake of Edward wasn’t critical as Ralph Percy was killed at the battle of Hedgeley moor in April 1464 + Somerset was captured + execute red at the battle of Hexham in May 1464 —> Edward effectively dealt with the problem
- it could be argued the idea of the policy was good + would’ve been effective if he wasn’t portrayed which he couldn’t predict to an extent
5
Q
Edward IV’s problems were caused by himself 1461-69? Conclusion
A
- creates an illusion of Woodville political dominance stimulated through Edward making decisions favourable to them, whether through the vast marriages or his disrespectful behaviour towards Warwick by contradicting his deals = humiliating
- makes Warwick feel more threatened = unable to cement his political position
6
Q
Edward IV’s problems were NOT his fault 1461-69? (Lack of noble support)
A
- no evidence of excessive favouritism to the Woodvilles - earl rivers was the only Woodville to gain a political position = treasurer of England in 1466
- Warwick + the Neville’s were more highly rewarded with offices + land
- John Neville became earl of Northumberland, George Neville became archbishop of York + chancellor, Warwick was appointed warden of the east + west marches
- therefore, these nobles were significantly rewarded by Edward + don’t seem to have been overshadowed by the Woodvilles in terms of power/titles
- Warwick’s unjust opposition as he was unrightfully dissatisfied with his highly regarded political positions
- also built up his brothers - Clarence rewarded lands at 16/17 in contrast to usual age of 21 = but Clarence turned again Edward by joining Warwick’s invasion 1469
7
Q
Edward IV’s problems were caused by Warwick 1461-69?
A
- Warwick purposely rebelled against the king through the marriage of his daughter (Isabel) to Clarence in July 1469 even though his request was denied
- Warwick then invaded England July 1469 = Battle of Edgecote
- Warwick’s resentment rooted from Woodville marriage = however arguably over reaction, they weren’t politically taking over
8
Q
Why did Edward failure to consolidate his position as king after Towton? Conclusion
A
- primarily due to his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville = became more of a hindrance rather than benefit = caused hostility from nobility, most importantly Warwick
- Warwick’s actions could be considered unproportional to Edward IV’s actions, BUT Warwick’s opposition still rooted from the Woodvilles posing a political threat through the marriages + their apparent influence over foreign policy making
- whether this was intention by Edward IV or not, it is classified as a mistake which led to the peak of his political instability after Warwick’s invasion in 1469
9
Q
What happens in 1464?
A
- 1 May 1464 = Edward secretly marries Elizabeth Woodville
- doesn’t tell Warwick until August, Warwick has successful negotiated a marriage with bona of savoy = key part of pro-French foreign policy
- October = Elizabeth’s sister is betrothed to the eldest son + heir of the earl of Arundel
- Warwick requests his eldest daughter should marry Clarence = Edward rejects = Warwick is running out of options as Woodvilles begin marrying high nobles
10
Q
Woodville power building in 1465/1466?
A
- 1465 = Elizabeth’s birthed us betrothed to the dowager Duchess of Norfolk = marriage of such a low status man to a duchess is abnormal
- 1466 = Lord rivers is made an earl + treasurer of England
- Elizabeth’s sister married Henry Stafford (heir to the Duke of Buckingham = vast + prestigious title)
- Anne Woodville married heir to the earl of Essex + Eleanor Woodville to the heir of the earl of Kent
- October = Thomas Grey, Elizabeth’s elder son is betrothed to Anne Holland (only child + heir of Duke of Exeter) = Warwick is furious as he had already arranged a marriage of Anne to his nephew —> Elizabeth effectively bought the marriage by paying Anne’s morphed 4,000 marks to cancel the contract with Warwick
11
Q
What happens in 1467?
A
- George Neville (Warwick’s brother) is dismayed as chancellor due to his refusal to embrace a pro-Burgundian policy = Warwick is in France when this happens = starts to feel threatened?
- tournament of Smithfield = showcases imminent treaty between England + burgundy —> Edward ensures the bastard of burgundy is not beaten + English champion is Anthony Woodville
- Warwick returns to England + is not happy = has just been negotiating a treaty with Louis XI = humiliating
12
Q
What happens in 1468?
A
- Edward sets out plans for a war against France = Parliament grants the generous taxation needed but the war never happens
- duke Charles (of burgundy) makes a trouce with Louis despite his agreement with Edward IV = Edward’s foreign policy is unravelling
13
Q
York’s invasion in 1469
A
- April = Redesdale rising
- Clarence marries Warwick’s daughter Isabel in secret in Calais
- Warwick, Clarence + John Neville send a procolamation to England accusing the Woodvilles to be evil counsellors influencing the king = earl rivers at the top of the list
- July = Warwick invades England + 26 July Battle of Edgecote —> William Herbert (Woodville) is captured + sentenced to death by Warwick
- Warwick + Clarence hunt down Lord rivers + earl of Devon = captured + executed
- Edward is captured by Warwick’s forced + taken to middleham castle in Yorkshire
- disorder wracks the kingdom = Edward is freed by Warwick in September + resumes kingship + no action is taken against Warwick + Clarence
14
Q
Battle of Hedgecote
A
- 26 July 1469
- Herbert engages Redesdale rebel forces
- Warwick’s army win as Herbert believed Warwick’s whole army had appeared + so his forces break apart
- Herbert is captured - tried by Warwick, Clarence + George Neville = sentenced to death + beheaded
