2. Margaret of Anjou Flashcards
Who was at the forefront of the movement towards peacr after 1444 defeats in France
duke of Somerset (Edmund Beaufot) and duke of Suffolk (William de la Pole)
When did Suffolk arrange a two-year truce with France and what was this called?
1444 Treaty of Tours
Key Terms of Treaty
Henry to marry Margaret of Anjou, no dowry and eng to pay for wedding (very substantial outlay) and Maine surrendered in secret
Who did Maggie seek support from and what did this mean for her reputation?
Pro-pesce factoon, Somerset and Suffolk because Gloucester saw treaty as highly dishonourable and unpatriotic. Confirmed her rep as a queen who promoted factionalism and who interfered in politics.
What is the long-standing image of Margaret as a vicious, strident snd domineering woman partly a result of?
The prejudices of medieval English chriniclers, extremely hostile due to her nationality and sex. Misogynists
What shows that the image of Margaret as a She-wolf likely encapsulates some of the reality of her personality and behaviour
She actively opposed York and clearly sought to control the king, seeking the regency for herself. Margaret also encourages her husband to agree to vengeful acts like the complete disinheriting of heirs of York, Salisbury and Warwick.
What shows York was not seeking to replace the young prince in the line of succession
He agreed to make a number of submissions and oaths of loyalty to the child
According to some historians, why did Margaret use her influence to have York removed from his post as military commander in France in favour of Somerset and what backs this up?
Due to her desire to discourage English attacks on France, in favour of Somerset. The fact that he went on to preside over a series of devastating defeats for Eng in 100war gives weight to this widespread suspicion that she was excluding York to further pro-French policy in govt.
When did Margaret’s popularity suffer
As news of defeats in France continued 1450-1453.
Whatbhaopened 1453
Maggie fell preggers and male heir Prince Edward
What happened during Henry’s mental incapacity
Queen argued she should be made regent but rejected by parliament and York appointed instead March 1454
What did York do during his period as Protector and Defender of the Realm that isolated the Queen
Placed Somerset in prison
When did Henry recover and what happened in terms of factions
during Christmas 1454. In February 1455, Richard of York was formally relieved of his duties as Protector of the Realm. Quickly, the factions allied to Somerset and the queen were rejuvenated
When did the first blows of civil war come
May 1955 at the First Battle of St Albans where York and Nevilles took up arms against Henry VI, Somerset and the Percies
Who bon First Battle of St Albans
Yorkists, Somerset killed. King captured and escorted to London.
What was Richard and supporters eager to emphasise
ThT the Yorkists were loyal subjects who only wished to rid the king of ‘evil councillors’
What took place on 25 May at St Paul’s Cathedral
A carefully stage-managed
ceremony took place on 25 May at St Paul’s Cathedral, whereby
Henry was reinstated as king and the Yorkists took vows of loyalty
to him, but clear that Richard’s supporters now intended to
control the feeble monarch. Therefore, key political appointments
were given to supporters of Richard, including the significant
military role of Captain of Calais being granted to Richard
Neville, earl of Warwick.
Who were supportive of Yorkist measures at St Paul’s Cathedral and what did this mean
The parliament of July. Meant that by Nov 1455, as Henry’s health again deteriorated, York was reinstated aa Protector of the Realm
What were Margaret’s continued hostilities towards York aided by
Richard lacked determination in his actions; as the historian
Anthony Pollard has pointed out, during his periods of political
ascendancy York often failed to consolidate his position entirely
and in 1455 he did not completely rid the royal government of
the queen’s Lancastrian supporters. By February 1456, this
group ensured that Richard of York was removed from his role as
Protector of the Realm.
When was there an attempt
at reconciliation between the two sides?
in 1458, a public ceremony of reconciliation was organised in London, called ‘Loveday’. queen walking arm-in-arm with York and
the earl of Salisbury walking with the new duke of Somerset.
The participants then attended a religious ceremony at St Paul’s in
an attempt to show contrition and a love of peace.
What do historians say about Loveday that is critical of Henry VI
a reflection of his spiritual, unworldly and rather impractical outlook on medieval politics.
Where did the king’s forces march against York after Loveday and wee they successful?
Ludford Bridge (Shropshire) Oct 1459. Yes- York fled after learning of the size of their army and went into exile
Limitations of interpretations of Margaret- no influence in govt policy
It can be argued that it is highly unlikely that Margaret alone
could have affected any key change in government policy, as she herself did not command military support. Instead, she provided a useful focal point for those who wished to oppose York.
Limitations of interpretations of Margaret- peacemaker
There is some historical debate about whether she genuinely
wished to make peace with Richard. Traditionally, they have
been regarded as sworn enemies, but more recent research
has suggested that she in fact tried to present herself in the
traditional female role of peacemaker to gain support and
that the 1458 ‘Loveday’ processions in fact took place at her instigation as much as Henry’s.
