Chapter 2- The Early Actions of Richard, Duke of York

Question 1

When did York return?

Answer 1

York returned from Ireland in November 1450 without the King’s permission.

Question 2

Why did York return from Ireland?

Answer 2

To clear his name- Cade’s use of Mortimer has associated him with the rebellion.
To get his loans repaid- he was owed £26,000 for being Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Somerset had been paid ahead of others.
To protect his position as heir presumptive (feared Somerset would replace him so he wanted to remove him) and felt he should be the King’s chief adviser.
To end the corruption an bring the ‘evil’ advisers to justice, in 1450, he called for them to be brought to justice.
Possibly to take the throne- if he did want to, it was hidden by him professing his loyalty until 1459 when he openly tried to seize the throne.

Question 3

When was the Dartford Coup?

Answer 3

March 1452

Question 4

What caused the Dartford Coup?

Answer 4

York needed to act against Somerset before he was acted against, he wanted t remove Somerset following his failures in France.
Henry’s continued favouritism to Somerset through rewards and positions even though York was the more senior noblemen.

Question 5

Who supported the Dartford Coup?

Answer 5

William Courtenay (Earl of Devon) and Lord Cobham

Question 6

What happened as York progressed to Dartford?

Answer 6

He marched from Ludlow professing his loyalty, he even swore an oath of allegiance in January 1452 publicly. Kent did not join him and London shut its gates to him so he crossed the river at Kingston-upon-Thames.

Question 7

When did York reach Dartford?

Answer 7

2nd March 1452

Question 8

Who was in the King’s army at Dartford?

Answer 8

Buckingham, Salisbury and Warwick

Question 9

What happened at Dartford?

Answer 9

York submitted a list of complaints about Somerset but Henry stayed loyal to Somerset. York was forced to swear an oath of allegiance and agree to never use force for political gain. York was isolated from court for 18 months.

Question 10

Why did the Dartford Coup fail?

Answer 10

Lack of nobility’s support
By sending letters professing his loyalty, the King had time to prepare
London remained loyal to the King
Kent didn’t rise fearing more beheadings like after Cade’s Rebellion
York’s motivation was at Somerset, not the good of the country
York’s actions resembled Cade’s Rebellion so looked like treason

Question 11

When did Henry fall ill?

Answer 11

From August 1453 to January 1455, Henry showed signs of mental illness.

Question 12

What are the believed causes of Henry’s mental illness?

Answer 12

Strain from too much travelling, pressures of his wife’s first pregnancy and a hereditary condition (Charles VI, his grandfather was insane).

Question 13

What happened between the Percys and the Nevilles?

Answer 13

On the 24th of August 1453, the Nevilles were returning from a wedding and were attacked by Percy followers.

Question 14

What were the consequences of the violence between the Percys and the Nevilles?

Answer 14

Due to the lack of justice, the Nevilles sided with York.

Question 15

What happened in March 1454?

Answer 15

The Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor, Cardinal Kemp died.

Question 16

When was Henry’s heir born?

Answer 16

Edward, Prince of Wales was born on the 13th of October 1453.

Question 17

What was the consequence of Edward being born?

Answer 17

York was no longer heir presumptive.

Question 18

Why and when was Somerset arrested?

Answer 18

On the 23rd of November 1453, Somerset was sent to the Tower on evidence provided by the Duke of Norfolk. This cleared the way for MOA to claim to be Regent.

Question 19

When was York named Protector and Defender of England?

Answer 19

27th March 1454

Question 20

What happened on the 27th of March 1454?

Answer 20

York was named as Protector and Defender of England.

Question 21

How did York influence the offices of state?

Answer 21

He made his brother-in-law, the Earl of Salisbury the Chancellor.

Question 22

Who supported Margaret’s claim to be regent?

Answer 22

Viscount Beaumont

Question 23

What did Margaret and Somerset convince Henry to do when he recovered?

Answer 23

To hold a great council at Leicester in 1455 to discuss York and the Neville’s ‘treason’.

Question 24

What motivated Margaret of Anjou?

Answer 24

She wanted to protect her son’s position.

Question 25

Why did York need be appointed Protector?

Answer 25

The death of Cardinal Kemp in March 1454 meant that someone with executive power needed to be appointed.

Question 26

Why did people not want Richard and Margaret to be regent?

Answer 26

Margaret may favour the French and York might imprison the Council and Household.

Question 27

Who else wanted to be Protector?

Answer 27

The Duke of Exeter felt he had a stronger claim as Protector.

Question 28

Who doubted York as Protector?

Answer 28

The Percys doubted York’s ability to impartially with their conflict with the Nevilles.

Question 29

How did York try to build support?

Answer 29

By not favouring his supporters too obviously. For example he didn’t remove Bonville and the Earl of Wiltshire which annoyed William Courtney, the Earl of Devon.

Question 30

How did York’s treatment of William Courtney affect him?

Answer 30

The Earl of Devon fought with the king against York at the Battle of St Albans.

Question 31

How did York reward his allies?

Answer 31

Devon was acquitted from treason charges from being involved in the Dartford Coup, the Earl of Salisbury was appointed Chancellor and the Nevilles were favoured over the Percys.

Question 32

How did York treat Somerset?

Answer 32

He kept Somerset in the Tower but no formal charges were brought against him because nobles didn’t want to bring him to trial.

Question 33

What effect did York’s treatment of Somerset have on others?

Answer 33

Many others didn’t trust York.

Question 34

How did York change the household?

Answer 34

He reduced its size in 1454 and reduced its expenditure from £24,000 in 1450 to £5,193 in 1455.

Question 35

How did York get loans paid to the government?

Answer 35

He persuaded wool merchants to resume making loans.

Question 36

What did York do regarding Calais?

Answer 36

He replaced Somerset but didn’t get time to visit due to his protectorate ending early.

Question 37

How well did York deal with disorder and justice?

Answer 37

His attempt to solve the Courtenay Bonville feud lost him his William Courtenay’s support.
Many refused to accept his authority due to his favouritism, for example, the Longfords didn’t get justice against the Yorkist Blounts.
As York remained a noble, many believed he wasn’t detached so couldn’t provide impartial justice.

Question 38

What happened between Exeter and the Percys against the Nevilles?

Answer 38

Exeter joined the Percys and attacked a Neville property and took control of York for 5 days in May 1454. York gathered an army causing Exeter to flee to Westminister Abbey where York removed him from. In November 1454, the Percys were defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Question 39

When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Answer 39

November 1454

Question 40

When did Henry VI recover?

Answer 40

25th December 1454

Question 41

When and why did York’s protectorate end?

Answer 41

In February 1455, York’s protectorate ended after Henry recovered.

Question 42

What happened to Somerset when Henry recovered?

Answer 42

Somerset was released on the 4th of February 1455 and restored to power a month later.

Question 43

What resulted from Henry’s recovery?

Answer 43

York’s protectorate ended
Somerset was released and restored to power
The Earl of Salisbury was replaced as Chancellor by the Archbishop of Canterbury
The Duke of Exeter was released
York and the Nevilles left court
York knew that Somerset wanted revenge for being imprisoned
Two side were forming with York, Salisbury and Warwick on one side