EP: Edward IV and failure to establish royal authority Flashcards
Introduction
Introduction:
- Battle of Towton (29 March 1461)
- Edward IV crowned (28 June 1461)
- Lancastrian resistance from September 1461 with Castles of Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh in Northumberland fall to Warwick
- Edward IV was the antithesis of Henry VI- Military man and reckless
3 paragraphs for “Reasons why he failed to establish royal authority between 1461 and 1470”
- Edward’s mistakes/ favouritism
- Power of the Earl of Warwick
- Role of Margaret of Anjou and Lancastrian resistance
All of Edward’s mistakes/ favouritism
- Marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464- She possessed no lands or diplomatic advantages illustrating Edward’s reckless nature
- Ross- “it was an impulsive love match of an impetuous young man”
- Antagonised Warwick by disregarding his marriage negotiations with the French
- Policy of conciliation to every Lancastrian- If they submitted to the crown they would be pardoned and have their lands resorted. Percy and Somerset submitted but then rebelled anyway- Policy largely fails
- Promotion of ‘New Yorkists’- Creates a new faction at court- He gives Richard Woodville the title of Earl Rivers and appoints him Treasurer of England in 1466 and Constable of England in 1467. Lord Hastings also appointed as Master of the Mint (Warwick subsequently executes Earl Rivers and his son on 12 August 1469)
- 1467- He blocked George Neville’s marriage proposal between Warwick’s daughter (Isabel Neville) and his own son (Clarence)- Very hypocritical. Subsequently dismissed George as Lord Chancellor. Antagonising the Nevilles.
BUT: He was, as Cook describes, “an infinitely more able King than Henry” - Did eradicate support of Louis XI for Lancastrian cause with Truce of Hesdin in October 1463
- Dec 1463- Truce with Scotland
All of Power of the Earl of Warwick
- Held huge power and estates (Already held Earldom of Warwick and Salisbury, the Despenser estates and status of Captain of Calais), he was still unhappy
- Given huge patronage by Edward following Towton in March 1461
- Ross: “Warwick continued to bask in the golden sun of royal patronage”
- Still disputed titles with the ‘New Yorkists’ such as Herbert over the Despenser lands and Earl Rivers (Richard Woodville) and his son (John Woodville) who he executed after the Battle of Edgecote Moor in 1469, depicting his power
- Also instigated 3-4 rebellions between 1469 and 1471, inc. the rebellion of Robin of Redesdale
- Against the King’s orders, he forces the marriage between his daughter, Isabel, and Clarence
- Loss of pride with abandoning of the French marriage he had been arranging
- His ambition drove him to rebellion
- 12th July 1469- Warwick issues a manifesto from Calais stating he intends to return to England to impose his will on Edward IV
- BUT: Largely due to Edward’s mistakes as he had been antagonizing Warwick throughout much of the 1460s
All of “Role of Margaret of Anjou and Lancastrian resistance”
Role of Margaret of Anjou and Lancastrian resistance:
- Central to the role of powerful nobility is the availability of an alternative monarch in Henry VI who could claim to be the legitimate ruler
- Margaret fled to Scotland after Towton
- She headed up the resistance in Northumberland between 1462 and 1464
- She ensures Scottish threat by agreeing that James III would gain Berrick if they supported Henry VI’s claim (BUT: Threat only until December 1463)
- Lancastrian resistance stemmed from their strongholds in Northumberland and Wales- Jasper Tudor holds Harlech Castle in revolt against Edward from 1461 to 1468
- Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and Sir Ralph Percy both submit to Edward in 1462 but subsequently rebel in 1464
BUT: Ultimately it was Warwick’s rebellion which managed to topple Edward, which was instigated as a result of Edward’s mistakes throughout the 1460s
- Edward was successful in dealing with the initial Lancastrian threat with Victories at Hedgeley Moor (April 1464) and Hexham (May 1464)
2 Quotes on Edward’s mistakes/ favouritism
- Ross- “it was an impulsive love match of an impetuous young man”
He was, as Cook describes, “an infinitely more able King than Henry”
Quote on the Power of the Earl of Warwick
- Ross: “Warwick continued to bask in the golden sun of royal patronage”
Conclusion
Conclusion:
- Edward’s reign was persistently under threat due to the Lancastrian resistance up to 1464 and the power of the Earl of Warwick afterwards
- However, Warwick would never have been a threat without Edward’s blatant favoritism towards ‘New Yorkists’ and his complete disregard for Warwick’s authority
- Lancastrian resistance was well dealt with by Warwick and edward at the start of his reign and proved little threat to his royal authority
- Thus, it is valid to maintain that Edward’s mistakes were the primary cause for his failing to establish royal authority by 1470.
Impact of Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville
- Marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464- She possessed no lands or diplomatic advantages illustrating Edward’s reckless nature
- Ross- “it was an impulsive love match of an impetuous young man”
- Antagonised Warwick by disregarding his marriage negotiations with the French
Edward’s policy of Conciliation
- Policy of conciliation to every Lancastrian- If they submitted to the crown they would be pardoned and have their lands resorted. Percy and Somerset submitted but then rebelled anyway- Policy largely fails
Who were the “New Yorkists”
- Promotion of ‘New Yorkists’- Creates a new faction at court- He gives Richard Woodville the title of Earl Rivers and appoints him Treasurer of England in 1466 and Constable of England in 1467. Lord Hastings also appointed as Master of the Mint
Which marriage did Edward block
- 1467- He blocked the marriage proposal between Warwick’s daughter (Isabel Neville) and his own son
(Clarence)- Very hypocritical
Truce of Hesdin
- Did eradicate support of Louis XI for Lancastrian cause with Truce of Hesdin in October 1463
Warwick’s estates
- Held huge power and estates (Already held Earldom of Warwick and Salisbury, the Despenser estates and status of Captain of Calais), he was still unhappy
- Given huge patronage by Edward following Towton in March 1461
- Ross: “Warwick continued to bask in the golden sun of royal patronage”
Which titles did Warwick dispute with the New Yorkists
- Still disputed titles with the ‘New Yorkists’ such as Herbert over the Despenser lands and Earl Rivers (Richard Woodville) and his son (John Woodville) who he executed after the Battle of Edgecote Moor in 1469, depicting his power
