Events of 1455-59

Question 1

First Battle of St Albans

Answer 1

22nd May 1455
Somerset called for a council meeting at Leicester
York along with the other Nevilles marched to St Albans, intercepted royal party
York sent messengers to the king
Whilst messages were flowing in the town marketplace, Yorkists grew impatient
Men under Warwick attacked the barricades at the entrance
Yorkist archers fired into the street
Somerset, Clifford and Northumberland were hunted and killed

Question 2

Short term consequences of St Albans

Answer 2

York’s second protectorate
Lasted 4 months
Forced to read his supporters to gain security in his position, Warwick made Captain of Calais
Act of Resumption- called back all lands and grants made by Henry
Failed to uphold law and order

Question 3

Long term consequences of St Albans

Answer 3

Creation of a blood feud

Margaret set up a rival court in Coventry as she was worried that York threatened the rights of her son

Question 4

Margaret after St Albans

Answer 4

Build up a power base of opposition against York
Rival court in Coventry, controversial as she was a woman
Men in her court included: Wiltshire and Beaumont, Exeter, Devon, Somerset, Clifford
Buckingham in neutral faction

Question 5

Loveday

Answer 5

March 1458
Increasing fear of invasion from France
Nobles urged to reconcile with one another
1500 retainers brought, distrust remained
Bizarre procession of unity through streets
Somerset walked arm in arm with Salisbury, Margaret accompanied by York
York and Warwick agreed to pay compensation for families of men killed
Nevilles and Percies agreed bond to keep peace

Question 6

Warwick’s piracy

Answer 6

Forced to resort to piracy to maintain the garrison
Attacked the Castillon fleet and Hanseatic
Increased his popularity, he risked his life for the garrison

Question 7

Warwick summoned to parliament

Answer 7

Early 1459
Demanded explanation for piracy
Sensed a trap and after a brawl in parliament he fled back to Calais
Believed he barely escaped assassination

Question 8

Buckingham leaves neutral ground

Answer 8

1459
Leaves neutral ground
Possibly due to his financial difficulties
Margaret made it clear that anyone not with her was against her
Margaret begins to gather forces under Edward’s name

Question 9

Council Meeting

Answer 9

June 1459
King and Queen sent letters summoning their forces to Leicester
Yorkists sensed a trap so didn’t attend
Margaret openly denounced them
York planned a meeting at Ludlow to prevent being named as a traitor

Question 10

Blore Heath

Answer 10

23rd September
Audley raised an army of 10,000 blocking Salsibury’s path, who wished to join the Yorkists
Troops managed to break through Audley’s line
Audley killed and Salisbury was able to get to Ludlow

Question 11

Ludford Bridge

Answer 11

12th October
More forces sent to intercept Salisbury
Yorkists outnumbered 1 to 3
Tried justifying their actions with a letter to Henry
Henry’s court demanded that they beg royal pardon
Refused and fled

Question 12

Parliament of the Devils

Answer 12

20th November
Stripped York, March, Warwick and Salisbury of all land and titles
Attained their heirs, barring them from succeeding their estates
Extreme nature appalled nobles, her government was illegitimate and she was going too far
Galvanised the Yorkists