Henry VI Flashcards
Outline the factors of Henry’s character flaws
- Lack of martial skill
- Lack of judgement in law and order
- Lack of judgement in effective distribution of patronage
- Very easily led
- Fianncially reckless
Give some examples of Henry’s lack of martial skill
- First English king since 1066 to not lead an army into battle
Give some examples of Henry’s lack of judgement in law and order
- 1438 acquitted criminals who owed crown over 2000 marks for no recorded reason
- Allowed favourites to abuse power e.g. Suffolk against the Pastons in Norfolk and letting murderer William Tailboys off trial multiple times
Give some examples of Henry’s lack of judgement in effective distribution of patronage
- Gave Beauforts 11 sheriff offices between 1437-41
- Showered favourites and anyone not in the circle (York)
- Bonville was the sitting steward of the Duchy of Cornwall and in a quarrel with Devon, and in 1441 Henry gave this to Devon putting Bonville at Devon’s mercy
Give some examples of Henry being easily led
- Exploited by favourites
- Knight William de la Pole appointed to King’s Steward in 1433, then marquis with estates in 1444, Chamerlain in 1447 and then a duke in 1448
- Beauforts and Suffolk used their influence to win their supporters offices and lands
Give some examples of Henry’s financial recklessness
- Raised inherited debt of £164,815 in 1422 to £372,000 by 1450
- Not trusted by Parliament or Italian bankers (gave him £1000 in 1450s)
- Founded Eton in 1440 and KCC in 1441
- Granted 186 (2/3) of 1450+51 act of resumption exemptions
When was Henry’s first catatonic insanity, and what could it have been caused by?
August 1453 - December 1454, caused by the defeat of Castillon and the death of Shrewsbury losing Gascony
Why was Henry’s insanities a problem compared to not being mad?
While not mad, he was ineffective. While mad there was a power vacuum
Who were jostling for power during Henry’s first insanity?
York and Margaret in 1453
Why was York brought into government during Henry’s first madness?
Henry’s closest blood relative
When was Somerset sent to the tower of London by whom?
November 1453 by York dominated Council
Why was Somerset sent to the tower of London?
Norfolk accused him of treason
When was York’s first protectorate?
27th March 1454 - December 1454 (when Henry recovered)
What did Henry do when he recovered from his first madness in… ?
- York was dismissed from protectorship and Somerset released from the tower
When was Suffolk charged for treason, following what?
1449 following his surrender of Rouen
Who did losing France cause a rivalry between?
York and Somerset
Why was York so angry at the loss of France?
Huge land ownder there - owned Beaumont-le-Roger, Avranches and Exreux
How much money was York owed in the 1440s?
£38,666
What example shows York’s desperate financial situation?
Before moving to Ireland in 1449, he sold land to cover a cash flow which a magnate of his status should never have to do
When was York appointed to the lieutenancy of Ireland and when did he leave?
1447 and left in 1449
What reasons did York return from Ireland in 1450?
- Owed so much money and now lost his estates
- Somerset replaced him as lieutenant-general in France, then lost it and now in dominant position over king
- Cade rebels wanted him back
- If York found guilty of treason, heir would be Somerset
When is York’s insecurities about not being formally the heir to the throne be seen?
1451 when Thomas Yongue proposed in Parliament that the King confirms him as heir
When was Dartford?
March 1452
What were the events of Dartford?
York raised an army and specifically:
- Demanded that Somerset needed to be removed
- That Somerset was plotting York’s demise and disinheritence and
- Declared allegiance to Henry VI
Who supported York’s actions at Dartford?
Earl of Devon and Lord Cobham
What can be concluded about the outcome of Dartford?
Magnates were not willing to support any rebellion against Henry VI; York was clear he was under threat by Somerset; Henry did not listen to criticisims of his favourites
Why did the Nevilles ally with York?
- Rivals with Percies who were allies with the Queen and King
- Warwick and Somerset were rivals
When was 1st St Albans?
May 1455
Who died at 1st St Albans?
Somerset, Earl of Northumberland, Lord Clifford
What were the events of St Albans?
Quick skirmish, King captured by Yorkists
What did the Yorkists do following St Albans?
- Returned to London with King and York placed crown on Henry’s head 25th May 1455
- Parliament pardoned Yorkists and made York Constable
When was the Battle of Heworth Moor and what was it over?
August 1453 over Wressle (former Percy land) going into hands of Thoman Neville
Who does York appoint as Captain of Calais in his second protectorate succeeding whom?
Warwick succeeding Somerset
Who did York appoint as Chancellor in his first protectorate?
Salisbury
What does Warwick do to win favour of the Calais Garrison. Why was it so important?
Pays all thier debts and their wages
Important because they are a standing army who are battle hardened
What happens between 1456-59?
Descent into war
What actions did the Lancastrians take between 1456-59?
- Margaret withdrew court to Midlands and fortified Kenilworth palace
- Increased affinity -> appointed Shrewsbury as treasurer, and Devon and the new dukes of Somerset and Northumberland to positions of power in the court
What actions did the Yorkists take between 1456-59?
Withdraws from court
Trying to increase affinity
When was Love Day?
25th March 1458
What happened at Love day?
Public reconciliation at St Paul’s
- York promised to pay Northumberland and Somerset some money
- Percies paid a fine
Was love day a success? Why?
No
- Both sides prepare for fighting afterwards
When does Warwick flee to Calais and why?
Autumn 1458 when a mob tries to kill him
What was called in 1459 by the Queen?
Great Council in Coventry, in June 1459
Who was excluded from this Great council meeting?
York, Salisbury, Warwick, Bouchier
When was the Battle of Blore Heath?
September 1459
What is the outcome of Blore Heath?
Audley dies and Salisbury wins
Where was the battle following Blore Heath and when?
Ludford Bridge October 1459
What happens at Ludford Bridge?
Lancastrians massively outnumber Yorkists
Warwick brings some of Calais Garrison captained by Trollope
Buckingham issues proclamation saying anyone who changes sides is pardoned and Trollope defects and is now a Lancastrian soldier
Yorkists flee
Where do the Yorksits flee following Ludford?
Rutland and York flee to Ireland
Warwick, Salisbury and March go to Calais
What is called following Ludford?
Parliament of Devils in November 1459
What are the events of the Parliament of Devils?
Yorkists attainted in absence and sentenced to death while in exile. Yorkists disinherited
- Lancastrians sieze Yorkist property and re-distribute it
What do the events of the Parliament of Devils force the Yorkists to do?
They must come back. Forces a war
What is public opinion of the Parliament of Devils?
Public feared they could lose property also
- Swayed opinion against Lancs in areas outside Midlands
- South sympathises with Yorkists when they return
When and where do Warwick, March and Salisbury return to England?
June 1460 in Kent
What was the response to Warwick, march and Salisbury returning in June 1460?
Greeted very well. Not like traitors like the Lancastrians had hoped
Where do Warwick, March and Salisbury go after landing in Kent?
London
When do Warwick, March and Salisbury reach London? What is London’s response?
July 1460 and let in
Why were Warwick, March and Salisbury let into London?
- Queen withdrew King and court from London to Midlands and Londoners not fond of King due to his absence
- Warwick was seen to be protecting merchant interests from Calais
- Henry and favourites blamed for economic problems
When was the Battle of Northampton?
July 1460
What were the events of the Battle of Northampton?
Lord Grey of Ruthin defects to Yorkists
Yorkists attack very aggressively
Buckingham killed and Henry VI captured
Margaret and Prince Edward escape to North so not conclusive victory
Where was Salisbury, March, Warwick and York at the time of Northampton?
Salisbury: London
March and Warwick: at the battle
York: Still in Ireland
What happens after Northampton, July 1460?
Warwick goes back to London with Henry and calls a Parliament for October to overturn Parliament of Devils and to attaint Lancastrians
- York returns in October
What happens when York returns in October, 1460?
Claims the throne - adds royal crest to coat of arms
- He marches towards London claiming to be King. Everyone is shocked and do not support him
What is passed after York reaches London claiming to be King, and what does it state?
Act of Accord, November 1460.
- States Henry remains King but York is his heir and his heirs follow disinheriting Edward of Lancaster
What battle follows after the Act of Accord in November 1460?
Battle of Wakefield, December 1460
What happens at the Battle of Wakefield, December 1460?
York, Rutland and Salisbury come out of Sandal castle and are massively outnumbered by Margaret’s army
- York and Rutland killed on battlefield and Salisbury captured and killed after
- Decapitate heads and put them on spikes at MIcklegate with paper crowns on
When was 2nd St Albans?
February 1461
What are the events of 2nd St Albans?
Warwick marches north with Henry (didn’t think lancs would challenge him if he had Henry)
Warwick loses and Margaret gets Henry and marches to London but not let in
- Don’t like Margaret and scared of northerners
When was the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross?
Feb 1461
What were the events of Mortimer’s Cross?
Edward intercepting Jasper’s army when they were heading to St Albans to help Margaret
- Edward has conclusive victory and beheads Owen Tudor
Which battle came first, Mortimer’s Cross of 2nd St Albans?
Mortimer’s Cross
What did Edward do following the victory at Mortimer’s Cross, Feb 1461?
Goes to London and crowned King on the basis that Henry broke the Act of Accord (but Warwick orchestrated it)
When was the Battle of Ferrybridge?
March 1461
What were the events of Ferrybridge, March 1461?
Warwick wins control and Edward gets to cross the river, then Towton happens the following day
When was Towton?
March 1461
What were the events of Towton, March 1461?
Yorkists outnumbered but have better troops and leaders
- Fauconbergs arrows very successful due to wind
- Edward’s decisive and aggressive leadership caused the army to win
- Many casualties with a rout following
- Northumberland and Trollope are killed
