Chapter 3- War and The Defeat of Richard, Duke Of York

Question 1

When was the first Battle of St Albans?

Answer 1

May 1455

Question 2

The events of the first Battle of St Albans

Answer 2

Warwick launched a surprise attack on the King’s forces causing a quick defeat for the Lancastrians. Henry VI was captured and held in St Albans Abbey. Somerset, Northumberland and Clifford were killed.

Question 3

How did the first Battle of St Albans impact Henry VI?

Answer 3

Within 2 weeks, he had to send for a physician, due to Henry’s illness and Somerset’s death, Margaret became leader of the Lancastrian party.

Question 4

What resulted from the King’s mental illness?

Answer 4

York became the King’s chief adviser and constable of England.
Warwick was made Captain of Calais
Margaret had to destroy York to protect her son’s position
The court was hostile to York and the Nevilles

Question 5

What did York do after the first Battle of St Albans to show his loyalty?

Answer 5

He personally presented a ceremonial crown to Henry to show his loyalty and prove he just wanted to get rid of the ‘evil advisers’

Question 6

When did York’s second protectorate begin?

Answer 6

November 1455

Question 7

Why did York become protector again?

Answer 7

The Yorkist victory at St Albans got Somerset out of the way
York blamed Somerset for the Battle as he concealed letters from York to the King professing his loyalty
His promise of reform- he introduced limits to the royal household’s expenditure and declared the late Duke of Gloucester as a loyal subject
There was no alternative, Exeter was unstable and a traitor
The King’s health
Problems in the south west- the Courtenays attacked the Bonvilles, taking control of Exeter, York promised to solve it

Question 8

Why was St Albans blamed on Somerset?

Answer 8

Parliament met on the 9th of July 1455 to blame Somerset and pardon the Yorkists. It was claimed that Somerset had concealed letters of loyalty from York.

Question 9

When did York’s second protectorate end?

Answer 9

February 1456 when the King recovered

Question 10

What happened in February 1456?

Answer 10

York’s protectorate ended but he was acknowledged as the King’s chief advisor and Warwick appointed the Captain of Calais.

Question 11

What happened in April 1456?

Answer 11

Margaret and Edward left for Kenilworth Castle where she surrounded herself with trusted people like the Earls of Wiltshire and Beaumont, the Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Devon and the New Somerset Northumberland and Clifford.

Question 12

When did Henry join Margaret at Kenilworth?

Answer 12

August 1456, this removed him from York’s influence. Margaret recruited the Eark of Shrewsbury by agreeing that his eldest son would marry the Duke of Buckingham’s daughter.

Question 13

Why did Warwick resort to piracy?

Answer 13

Margaret sent less money to Calais so Warwick struggled to pay his men. He attacked the German Hanseatic League causing Margaret to demand his resignation and summon him.

Question 14

Why did Warwick flee?

Answer 14

Warwick fled after being summoned by Margaret because he claimed that Royal guards tried to murder him.

Question 15

What were the consequences of Warwick’s piracy?

Answer 15

It disgusted Buckingham so much that he completely sided with Margaret.
Margaret had enough power to convince Henry that York was plotting against him so he was removed and officially accused of treason.

Question 16

When did Warwick openly defy the government?

Answer 16

October 1458 when he was ordered to answer to charges of piracy.

Question 17

The Courtenays and the Bonvilles between 1455 and 1459

Answer 17

Bonville was aligned to Suffolk and Somerset so Courtenay to York. Following St Albans, Bonville arranged his grandson’s marriage to Salisbury’s daughter which angered the Courtenays. In response they killed Bonville’s lawyer, Nicholas Radford, then took control of Exeter and defeated the Bonvilles at Clyst, Devon in December 1455. York intervened and arrested Courtenay who was later pardoned for all crimes.

Question 18

Wales between 1455 and 1459

Answer 18

Edmund Tudor seized Carmarthen Castle from York’s custody hut Walter Devereux captured it back for York capturing Edmund Tudor who died shortly after leaving Margaret Beaufort pregnant.

Question 19

London between 1455 and 1459

Answer 19

Yorkists wore padded jackets fearing attack. There were lots of rioting and attacks in the city.

Question 20

Lancastrians and Yorkists between 1455 and 1459

Answer 20

Exeter, Shrewsbury and Somerset tried to kill Warwick in 1456. Henry was sufficiently concerned and organised a Loveday in London on the 24th of March 1458.

Question 21

Why did peace break down in 1459?

Answer 21

Somerset, Northumberland and Clifford wanted revenge.
York was a threat to Margaret’s son.
Whoever controlled the ill Henry, controlled the government.
Margaret’s government removed York
Sides met with armed followers due to a lack of trust.
Warwick’s rebellion made neutrals side with Margaret.
Margaret felt she had enough power to destroy York.
York with the Neville’s support felt he could destroy the Lancastrians.

Question 22

When was the Battle of Blore Heath?

Answer 22

23rd Spetember 1459

Question 23

What happened at the Battle of Blore Heath?

Answer 23

Warwick arrived from Calais, narrowly escaping capture by Somerset on route to Ludlow. His father, Salisbury, was intercepted at Blore Heath in Staffordshire where he killed Lord Audley.
The Yorkists refused the Queen’s pardon so the Lancastrians marched on Ludlow.

Question 24

When was the Battle of Ludford Bridge?

Answer 24

12th of October 1459

Question 25

What happened at the Battle of Ludford Bridge?

Answer 25

The Yorkists were outnumbered three to one, the men from Calais switched sides as they didn’t expect to fight the King. Under darkness, the Yorkist leaders fled- York headed to Ireland with his second son, Edmund while his eldest, Edward went south with the Nevilles.

Question 26

When was the Parliament of Devils?

Answer 26

November 1459

Question 27

How many were attainted at the Parliament of Devils?

Answer 27

27 Yorkists had their lands confiscated, were condemned as traitors and their heirs were disinherited.

Question 28

What were the consequences of the Parliament of Devils?

Answer 28

Margaret’s extreme actions had forced neutrals to York’s side, York was left with nothing to lose and now wanted to be King, the Parliament’s harshness resuscitated the Yorkist cause.

Question 29

What errors had Margaret made trying to be regent?

Answer 29

She had left the Yorkists with nothing to lose, increased Yorkist sympathy, alienated nobility from her cause, criticised for not acting against York when he acted like he ruled Ireland
Hadn’t aided the Earl of Wiltshire as Lieutenant of Ireland in December 1459.

Question 30

Warwick as Captain of Calais

Answer 30

After Ludford Bridge, Somerset replaced Warwick as Captain of Calais but ships fired on him under Warwick’s order when he tried to take up his position. He captured the fleet when they tried to take Calais on information provided by Kentish supporters.

Question 31

How did Warwick begin the Yorkist invasion?

Answer 31

He captured Sandwich in June 1460 then he advanced on London declaring his loyalty to the King. Lord Cobham supported him and the London authorities opened the gates to him.

Question 32

When was the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 32

10th of July 1460

Question 33

Who led the Yorkists at the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 33

Warwick and March

Question 34

What events happened at the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 34

The Yorkists attempted to negotiate but Buckingham rejected them. Heavy rainfall caused the Lancastrian guns to fail. Lord Grey of Ruthin defected which allowed the Yorkists to win.

Question 35

Who died at the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 35

Buckingham, Shrewsbury, Egremont and Beaumont died guarding the King’s tent.

Question 36

What happened to the royal family at the Battle of Northampton?

Answer 36

Margaret and Edward fled to Harlech Castle in Wales but Henry was captured.

Question 37

What happened on the 16th of July 1460?

Answer 37

The Yorkists re-entered London still proclaiming their loyalty for Henry who was with them. Warwick took over the government and replaced corrupt counsellors.

Question 38

When did York return from Ireland?

Answer 38

On the 8th of September 1460, he marched under a royal banner.

Question 39

What happened when York reached London in 1460?

Answer 39

He walked into Westminster and placed his hand on the throne as a sign of possession. The Archbishop of Canterbury then asked if he wanted to see the King. York was humiliated.

Question 40

When was the Act of Accord signed?

Answer 40

On the 24th of October

Question 41

What did the Act of Accord do?

Answer 41

York was made Henry’s heir, this disinherited Edward, similar to the Parliament of Devils.

Question 42

What were the consequences of the Act of Accord?

Answer 42

Margaret could now gain sympathy because her son had been disinherited. She was joined by the Earl of Devon and the Duke of Somerset and she gathered an army.

Question 43

How did the government try to solve the problem of Margaret?

Answer 43

The Yorkist-dominated army tried to use the north’s controllers, Northumberland and Clifford, to deal with the threat but they were busy attacking York and Neville properties. In early December 1460, York, Salisbury and Rutland headed north to solve the problems.

Question 44

When was the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 44

On the 30th of December 1460

Question 45

What happened at the Battle of Wakefield?

Answer 45

A Lancastrian force led by Northumberland, Clifford and Somerset attacked York, Rutland and Salisbury, killing them whilst they were out hunting. York’s head was displayed in York with a paper crown. His son, Edward, Earl of March, inherited his father’s cause.

Question 46

When was the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross?

Answer 46

On the 2nd of February 1461

Question 47

What happened at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross?

Answer 47

Edward was preparing to travel to London in the Welsh Marches when he heard of the Earl of Wiltshire in south Wales with an army of Breton, Irish and French soldiers. York intercepted them and won, Owen Tudor was executed but the Earls of Pembroke and Wiltshire escaped. The battle earnt Edward prestige.

Question 48

When was the Second Battle of St Albans?

Answer 48

On the 17th of February 1461

Question 49

Describe Margaret’s progress with her northern host

Answer 49

After defeating York, she headed for London pillaging towns on the way. She defeated Warwick’s army at St Albans where Lord Bonville was executed.

Question 50

What happened when Margaret reached London in 1461?

Answer 50

Her poor reputation meant that London was nervous to let her in and following negotiations, she sent her army to Dunstable leaving the way open for Edward, Duke of York.

Question 51

Edward’s journey to London in 1461

Answer 51

Edward joined with Warwick on route and received a warm welcome in London on the 26th of February 1461.

Question 52

What happened on the 3rd of March 1461?

Answer 52

A council consisting of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick among others decided that Edward should be king.

Question 53

When and where was Edward proclaimed king?

Answer 53

On the 4th of March 1461, Edward was publicly proclaimed King Edward IV at Westminster.

Question 54

How had Edward taken the crown?

Answer 54

By taking advantage of Margaret’s unpopularity, Henry’s lack of good governance, the northern host’s reputation, his father’s preparation, the Act of Accord and his ability on the battlefield.