How successful was York's first period of dominance (the 'First Protectorate' 1454-55)? (mine) Flashcards
summarise the situation before york came to power in the first protectorate
- August 1453: HVI enters catatonic stupor and could not interact; Somerset and Margaret attempt to conceal this, but their attempts didn’t last
- August 1453 - March 1454: nobility debate what to do; York claimed to be the natural leader by virtue of his blood ties to the king, Margaret attempted to rule as regent on behalf of her husband and new-born son (Edward)
- March 1454: nobility and parliament recognise York as ‘protector’ of England. York immediately sends Somerset to the Tower of London; couldn’t find noble support to put him on trial for treason.
What things did York need to do during the first protectorate to demonstrate his success?
- uphold laws and justice
- defend the kingdom from military threats
- improve the government finances
- demonstrate that he was fair and even-handed
what evidence is there that York was successful during the first protectorate in defending the kingdom from military threats?
- July 1454 York was finally able to arrange for the Staplers of Calais to pay the garrison
- made himself Captain of Calais and regained the Lieutenancy of Ireland from Wiltshire, who had gained it in 1453
who did york regain the Lieutenancy of Ireland from in the first protectorate?
Wiltshire
what evidence is there that York was successful during the first protectorate in demonstrating that he was fair and even-handed ?
- he established a reasonably broadly based regime
- York was even-handed in his approach to the recurring Courtenay (Earl of Devon) Bonville (local gentry family) dispute
- showed exemplary dynamism and statesmanship in handling Exeter and the Percies
how did york establish a broadly based regime during the first protectorate?
- there was not major purge of the household even though it had been close to Somerset
- major nobles like Stafford and Bourchiers were willing to participate
in what way was York even-handed in his approach to the recurring Courtenay (Earl of Devon) Bonville (local gentry family) dispute during the first protectorate?
- Spring and Summer 1454: Courtenay exploited his friendship with York to attack Bonville and his ally, the Earl of Wiltshire, in Devon
- York did not side with his previous ally, Courtenay and adopted a neutral position; neither Bonville nor Wiltshire was removed from authority in Devon
- Thomas Courtenay was found to have been more to blame, and, in April, was placed under a bond of £1000. Both he and Bonville were placed under more punitive financial bonds when violence recurred, in July.
how did york show statesmanship in handling Exeter and the Percies during the first protectorate?
- action taken against ringleaders was exceedingly mild compared to their crimes
- many were pardoned, and the punishment for the Percies themselves was the payment of heavy fines to the Nevilles, who had sustained serious damage to their properties
what evidence is there that York was successful during the first protectorate in upholding laws and justice?
- some of the private feuds and divisions were beginning to ease
- York successful in dealing with the violence of Exeter and his Percy allies
which private feuds and divisions eased slightly under York’s Protectorate?
- In Warwickshire, where Richard Neville used the control the Protectorate gave him, to broaden his base support, rather than to attack his enemies, there was a general reduction in tension
- the divisions among the midland nobility that were beginning to harden in 1453 eased slightly; especially true in east Warwickshire and the west of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire where there had long been a cohesive gentry network
Who were the leading magnates in the midlands nobility during York’s First Protectorate and how did they ease division?
- leading magnates included York, Wiltshire, and Beaumont; they and their followers, and clients of Warwick’s, can be seen acting together 1453 until 1456
- local networks, from which the gentry drew associates for doing business connected with their lands, were immensely complex and often included intertwined affinites of several magnates
- real division among the nobility was, therefore, for the gentry, extremely dangerous; former friends, who may be key witnesses or feoffees, could become enemies
- constant pressure from gentry on magnates to come to terms with each other
- nobility had no way of knowing when HVI would recover, so it was best to acquiesce in the status quo if it could be made acceptable (something York tried hard to do)
how was York successful in dealing with the violence of Exeter and his Percy allies during the First Protectorate?
- May 1454 Exeter attacked the properties of York (rebellion against he protector) and the Nevilles in the north, claiming the right to rule in the king’s illness himself. He formed an alliance with the King of Scots and distributed Lancastrian liveries (opposing York’s presence in government)
- York and Lord Cromwell (enemy of Exeter and the Percies) went to York, where Exeter and Egremont had been gathering an army. They fled and continued to incite rebellion and disorder, and allegedly plotted to kill York
- June 1454 York and many other lords assembled a force and began proceedings against Egremont’s and Exeter’s men
- Exeter fled to sanctuary in Westminster Abbey; removed from there in July and imprisoned
- Early November 1454 the Percy leaders of the uprising, including Egremont, were captured at the ‘battle’ of Stamford Bridge
how did York improve the government finances during the First Protectorate?
- grants were few in number and distributed more equitably than before; no evidence that they went wholesale to the Protector’s friends
- some money was raised through a tax on aliens (foreigners) resident in England
- household spending reduced to £5000 per year and £1000 claimed from Eton and King’s College
what evidence is there that York was not successful in upholding laws and justice during the First Protectorate?
- York’s attempt to deal with the Derbyshire dispute between Longfords and Blounts failed
- York couldn’t persuade other nobles to put Somerset on trial for treason
- violence and disorder continued in wales
how did York attempt to deal with the Longford-Blount dispute during the First Protectorate?
- May 1454: attempt to deal with the feud by summonses before the council came to nothing
- Walter Blount managed to manoeuver York into a position in which, despite his attempt to act with neutrality, meant he was, in the eyes of the Longfords, too closely identified with the Blounts
- Longfords refused to accept a royal writ from York. Ordered the messenger to eat it; when he refused, they spat on it and made him tear it up, then put him in the stocks
- Longfords raised a force, composed of other important Derbyshire families, that sacked the Blount manor of Elvaston and they claimed the Blounts were traitors because they served the Protector. Significantly, they quartered a tapestry with the Blount arms
what was the situation of Somerset during the First Protectorate?
he remained in prison, although York blocked an attempt to release him in July 1454
who was the main cause of violence and disorder in Wales during the First Protectorate?
Gruffydd ap Nicholas, who had abused his authority, was arrested, but he escaped and returned to his lawless behaviour
in what ways was York not successful in dealing with military threats during the First Protectorate?
- York made himself Captain of Calais but the large Calais garrison remained in the hands of Somerset’s deputies and allies, especially Lord Welles and Lord Rivers
- May 1454 Calais garrison mutinied because the government had not paid their wages
- York couldn’t act effectively in foreign affairs because he was not the king
- York was unsuccessful in his attempt to restore the navy due to lack of funds
