How successful was York's First Protectorate? (1454-55)

Question 1

When did the First Protectorate begin/end?

Answer 1

Mar 1454 - Feb 1455

Question 2

Background

Answer 2

Aug 1453 - Henry goes catatonic after finding out about the Battle of Castillon
Aug 1453-Mar 1454 - Margaret and Somerset try hide Henry’s madness
Feb 1454 - Margaret, Henry Holland (Exeter) and York claim right as Lord Protector
Mar 1454 - York is recognised as Lord Protector by nobles & parliament. He immediately sent Somerset to the Tower of London
25 Dec 1454 - Henry wakes up from catatonic state
Late Jan 1455 - Henry recovers and retakes government. York is forced to resign and Somerset is freed

Question 3

Successes

Answer 3

• Even-handed regime: no initial purge of household and establishes a diverse powerbase (e.g. Staffords, Bourchiers),
  dealt with Courtenay-Bonville feud fairly finding Courtenay (despite being Yorkist) at fault for attacking Bonville + Wiltshire so placed him under a £1,000 bond (causing Bonville to become Yorkist and Courtenay [Devon] to become Lancastrian)
• Dealt with Exeter + Percies: May 1454 Exeter attacks York and Nevilles’ lands, distributes Lanc liveries, allies with Scotland and plots to kill York (with Thomas Percy, Lord Egremont),
  July 1454 Yorkists capture Exeter,
  Nov 1454 Egremont captured at Stamford Bridge
• Organised ways to fix finances: July 1454 arranged Staplers of Calais to pay garrison,
  to reduce debt of £372,000 taxed “aliens” within England,
  reduced royal spending from £5,000 to £1,000,
  reclaimed money from Eton + King’s College
• Took control: made himself Captain of Calais in 1454 and replaced Wiltshire as Lieutenant of Ireland

CA: still lacked support in nobility (except Nevilles, Bonville etc.)

Question 4

Not successful

Answer 4

• Not impartial: Actions vs Egremont + Exeter could be motivated by Nevilles,
  failures dealing with Longford-Blount dispute, too close to the Blounts so couldn’t command respect from Longfords,
  feared return of King and Somerset so needed allies
• Not in full control: no control over international disputes as he is not the King,
  couldn’t trial Somerset due to lack of noble support,
  unsuccessful restoration of navy due to lack of funds,
  Gruffydd ap Nicolas abused his authority in Wales
• Calais: Somerset’s deputies (Lords Rivers and Welles) control Calais still,
  mutiny in May 1454 after failed wages (before Staple agreement of July 1454)

CA: seen by many as a better alternative to Somerset, since he isn’t as corrupt