Factional rivalries and court politics

Question 1

Which 2 powerful nobles became allied in the 1470s and why?

Answer 1

During the 1470s and it is an important Alliance developed that would play a significant part in the crisis of the Yorkist succession
Gloucester and Hastings had both been in Exile with Edward in 1471 and shared common interests:
- they both wanted war with France in 1475
- Gloucester supported Hastings’s campaigns in Burgundy
- they both dislike the Woodvilles (this began for Hastings in 1471 when he was competing with rivers for the Luitenancy of Calais)

Question 2

How did E4 make matters worse?

Answer 2

The greatest concern was the Woodvilles growing power
Edward was keen to provide for his step son’s and made Thomas grey the marquess of Dorset in 1475
he was granted the wardship and Marriage of Clarence’s heir Edward, Earl of Warwick
Hastings had a long-running dispute with the Marquess of Dorset

Question 3

What rumours circulated in August 1482?

Answer 3

Gloucester may have held Rivers responsible for Clarence’s execution
rumours circulated in August 1482 that rivers and the Marquess of Dorset plan to betray Calais to France
although these rumours were false it shows the general unpopularity of the Woodvilles

Question 4

Why was the hostility to the Woodvilles so difficult?

Answer 4

this hostility to the Woodvilles was one of the greatest difficulties E4 face during his reign
Edward insisted on promoting the Woodville’s despite the great opposition from some of the most powerful magnets = Gloucester and Hastings
this jealousy between the Woodvilles and Edward’s blood relatives left the nobility in a precarious position that only Edward could manage