Edward IV and Richard III 1471 - 1485

Question 1

Types of questions

Answer 1

• Why he is able to secure the throne (not why he took the throne as most evidence is speculative)
• The nature/success of his rule (possibly combined with Edward IV’s second reign)
• The reasons why he lost the throne

Question 2

Assess the reasons why Richard III was able to secure the throne in 1483?

Answer 2

• circumstances of the minority (the Woodville council), the element of surprise, Richard’s powerful support, weaknesses of potential opponents, long-term failings of Edward IV’s reign.

Question 3

Circumstances of the minority

Answer 3

unexpected death of Edward IV at 40, leaving Edward V (only 12); Edward’s will did not survive.
The problem of Edward V’s age: if he had been 4 years older he would have been able to rule independently of any protector; if he had been 5 years younger everyone would have accepted the need for a protector in the shape of the king’s closest male adult relative i.e., Richard.
Likelihood of a short minority: created debate about the future and circumstances for Richard to act i.e., Woodville view that Edward could rule through a council of nobles and Hastings claim that a minatory council should be established under Gloucester and that Richard should have charge of the King.
Minority created necessity for self-preservation.

Question 4

Surprise of Richard’s actions and Edward’s death

Answer 4

Richard was very loyal to Edward in the past, and he showed no interest in claiming the throne.
Moderate actions in May and early June, Richard expresses his loyalty to Edward V.
Even on June 16, 3 days after Hastings’ arrest and execution, Elizabeth sends her second son to join his brother in the tower.
Both Rivers and Hastings had also been taken completely by surprise, the unexpected violence paralysed opposition; speed of events meant there was no time to organise effective opposition

Question 5

Richard had powerful support

Answer 5

Buckingham, Northern affinity
Hastings’ support made it easier for Richard to become Protector.
Lord Howard and Buckingham; support from these figures gave Richard credibility
in the critical weeks in June, Richard was strongly backed by the threat of force
news of his summoning an northern army on 20 June spread round London and by the time they arrived Richard had secure the crown but the threat of their arrival had played its part - fears of the northern host.

Question 6

Weakness and uncertainties of potential opponents

Answer 6

Woodville’s had little power, arrest of Rivers killed any chance of their leading opposition to Richard
Other major nobles too preoccupied with their own positions under a child-king that they did not unite against Richard, or they also distrusted the Woodvilles.
Uncertainties added to by illegitimacy story preached by Ralph Snow - gave hesitant nobles an excuse not to act.

Question 7

Long-term failings of Edward IV’s reign

Answer 7

EIV’s reign had relied too heavily on a small group of trusted family and friends.
There were simmering jealousies esp. between Hastings and Dorset.
Unpopularity of Woodvilles
Counter to this – none of this resentment was Edward’s faults, as it is the circumstances of a King tbh.
Rivalry is exaggerated, no evidence of rivers and Gloucester or Gloucester and the queen, Edwards reign had healed rivalries such as the Percys and the Nevilles
even the arrests if they were products of rivalries, they don’t explain why it should. have led to usurpation
and Richard was very loyal.

Question 8

‘Richard III was an able ruler’ How far do you agree?

Answer 8

dealing with challenges to his rule, dealing with the nobility, government and finance, gently/localities, foreign policy.

Question 9

How successful were the domestic policies of Edward IV and Richard III between 1471 and 1485?

Answer 9

Dealing with challenges to rule
Dealing with the nobility
Government and finance
Localities / gentry
Judgement: overall therefore, there were clear differences in terms of how successful each ruler was in terms to the success of the rule ie Edward dies in bed and Richard dies in battle

Question 10

How successful were Edward IV and Richard III at dealing with the nobility between 1471 and 1485?

Answer 10

Dealing with overmighty subjects
dealing with rebellion
winning support from the nobility
use of nobility to maintain order

Question 11

‘The most important reason why Richard III lost the throne in 1485 was a lack of support from the nobility’. How far do you agree?

Answer 11

Poor relationship with nobility
Reputation as a murderer
Emergence of Henry Tudor
Use of Northern Affinity
Buckingham’s rebellion