Henry VI 1422-1461 Flashcards
What caused tension for Henry VI ?
. Took control of the church - tension with the Pope
. Can’t afford to carry on supporting France because of lack of money - causes tension with France and the people
. Gave the nobility no rewards but still expected them to work for him - resentment from the nobility
. Henry V was very successful - big things expected from Henry VI
. Henry VI sought advice from his council - excludes nobles which caused resentment
What reduced tension for Henry VI ?
Has a good parliament around him -loads of people giving him a range of advice
How was England governed in 1445 ?
. The powers of the king were not unlimited. E.g: he couldn’t change the law or raise taxes without the agreement of parliament
. The king’s household was responsible for the looking after the king. Most senior person - Lord Chamberlain, controlled access to the king
. The king relied on the nobility to enforce the law in the country and provide an army when unecessary
. Parliament met only when the king wanted them to and was made up of the lords and the commons
Why was there tension between York and Somerset ?
. (previous) Duke of Somerset given Gascony to govern, 1443 York saw this as a challenge to his authority as Lieutenant General in France
. York failed at Dieppe in 1443 because Henry VI funded Somerset in Gascony instead
. York received a significant amount of money owed him back in 1445. Somerset had nothing
. (New) Duke of Somerset replaced York as lieutenant General of France, York was given lieutenancy of Ireland - he felt snubbed
. Duke of Somerset lost land in Rouen in Normandy in 1449 York felt Somerset had failed in his job. York’s resentment was further fuelled when Somerset had his loans repaid by the king but York didn’t - he had to sell manors whilst waiting payment
. York didn’t leave for Ireland till 1449. He could have used a deputy
. Duke of Somerset was in a position of power at court when York returned from Ireland (1450). York was viewed as a potential saviour, to rescue the nation from Suffolk. York decided this power was by right his
What did historian Christine Carpenter state ?
. York received payment for loans provided when Somerset didn’t
. York’s complaints only stated in letters in 1452
. No need for York to go to Ireland - did so to distance himself from court
How did England fail to France in 1450 ?
. In 1444 the English were weary and ready for a truce. Henry VI refused to give up. Eventually a truce was made at Tours. Suffolk negotiated the marriage of the king to France’s niece, Margaret of Anjou, to Henry VI. In return (and in secret), Suffolk agreed to hand over Anjou and Maine to France
. Instead, they broke the truce and seized in March 1449. France responded by attacking Normandy - Battle of Royen in Oct. By 1450 most of Normandy had been overrun and leading to a French victory
What were the reasons for England’s defeat to France in 1450 ?
. Somerset’s incompetence and slowness to react to the French attack
. French were well planned, with a three pronged assualt on Normandy
. Suffolk’s running of the government at home meant the conflict on France was underfunded, poorly led and lacked planning and direction - should have come from the king
What was the outcome of England’s defeat to France in 1449 ?
. Feb: Suffolk was charged with treason, exiled and murdered
. June: In Kent the Cade’s rebellion resulted in the deaths of Lord Say and Crowmer
. Somerset lost prestige
. Blow to England’s national pride
. Reduction in trade - Northern French towns no longer controlled by the English
. Increase in French navy attacks on the English coast
How did the Cade rebellion begin ?
A rising which in Kent by Jack Cade, using the name John Mortimer (York mothers, maiden name). It began in May and by the June it contained: 1 knight, 5 Parsons (people of the church), 1 mayor, about 100 gentry. Army totalled about 46,000
What was the cause of the Cade rebellion 1450 ?
. murder of the Duke of Suffolk - Kentish people feared they would be blamed given the body was left on a beach
. Taxes were unfairly levied (imposed)
. Tax increased because the king had given land away to his favourites
. Justice was not impartially administrated
. Lords, who had been favourites at court, were allowed to hold office despite being responsible for misgovernment at home and loss of territory in France
What were the events of the Cade rebellion ?
. Henry VI returned to London with an army of 10,000 men
. Cade withdrew, unsure of his chance, but half of Henry’s army followed
. King’s men were ambushed and slaughtered at Sevenoaks
. King fled back to Kenilworth (Midlands), leaving Cade free to march to London
. Unrest was spreading. Bishop of Sailsbury killed
. After much looting and pilaging the people of London forced the rebels out
. Queen Margaret of Anjou, promised a rebels a pardon if they dispersed. Most went home
. Cade withdrew slowly. Most of his men fled when their pardons were revoked for taking up arms again
. Cade chased into Sussex where he was killed. Head placed on spike in London, 4 quarters of his body sent to Blackheath , Sailsbury, Norwich, Gloucester
What were the consequences of the Cade rebellion ?
. Rebellion demonstrated the kings inability to cope with a crisis
. Rebels complaints didn’t just represent the problem in Kent, it resented with the whole country
. Despite his support for York, he didn’t rush back to England, giving Duke of Somerset time to position himself as King’s right - hand man
. No major change to how England was to be governed (fraction - midlands under Somerset just like Suffolk)
. Those who had power had made an enemy of York, so he had to challenge their positions as the kings advisors and the throne itself
Reasons for Yorks return from Ireland (1450)
- Clear his name = cade rebellion
- Get his loans repaid = owed £26,000 and not been paid his wages
- Protect his position = felt he should be Kings chief advisor as he was senior nobleman of the land
- Remove Somerset = furious over how much power he had - thought it should have been his by right of birth (would have returned earlier ?)
- Bring justice = better justice system - could be linked to Cade Rebellion. Sep 1450 made statement about bringing traitors to justice
- Take the throne = people murdered for wanting York on the throne (York constantly proclaimed his loyalty to Henry)
Causes of the attempted coup at Dartford (1452)
. Henry VI failure to act against Somerset - should’ve addressed charges made by York
. York wanted the removal of Somerset - tried using parliament but failed
. York claimed he was acting against his enemies
Events of the attempted coup at Dartford (1452)
. Propaganda and open letters sent to towns to try and get support
. York issued statement declaring loyalty to the King
. No other members of nobility would join and Kent (York was depending on) didn’t rise as well as London
. Reached Dartford in Kent on 2nd March - King was there with a strong army including those such as Warwick who’d previously shown sympathy for Yorks cause
^ York decided to submit to the king. On 1 knee York he presented list of complaints about Somerset. Henry remained faithful
. York isolated from court for 18 months - Henry at last seemed ready to lead his own Government
