How successful was York's Second Protectorate? (1455-56)

Question 1

When did the Second Protectorate begin/end?

Answer 1

Nov 1455 - Feb 1456

Question 2

Background

Answer 2

May 1455 - First Battle of St. Albans, Yorkist victory and Henry VI is captured, signalling the unofficial start of York’s dominance
Oct-Dec 1455 - Courtenays rampage through Devonshire
23 Oct 1455 - Nicholas Radford (Bonville) murdered by Courtenays
Nov 1455 - Official start of Second Protectorate
3 Nov - Battle of Clyst Heath between Courtenays and Bonvilles
Late 1455 - Warwick appointed as Captain of Calais
Feb 1456 - after failed resumption act fails to gain support in nobility, is forced out and Second Protectorate ends
Jul 1456 - Warwick takes up position as Captain of Calais
Oct 1456 - York’s appointees all had been removed

Question 3

Successes

Answer 3

• Efforts at Reconciliation: pardon for Yorkists at St. Albans,
  Parliament blamed Somerset and 2 minor household men for St. Albans,
  summoned all Lords (not Somerset’s heir, underage) to parliament regardless of affiliation,
  no Yorkist monopoly on patronage and less corruption
• Diplomacy: rehabilitated Humphrey of Gloucester (d. 1447) for clean rep,
  secured pay of Calais garrison through Staplers of Calais,
  Warwick given Captaincy of Calais in late 1455
• Dealt with Disputes in Gentry: Buckingham dealt with Vernon-Gresley dispute in Midlands,
  dealt with Mountford inheritance dispute,
  death of Northumberland at St. Albans had calming effect in North

CA: clearly lacked noble support still, shown by failed resumption in Feb 1456

Question 4

Not successful

Answer 4

• Violence of Courtenay-Bonville Dispute: Oct-Dec 1455 Courtenays rampage Devonshire,
  23 Oct 1455 - Nicholas Radford kidnapped and killed by Courtenays,
  3 Nov - Battle of Clyst Heath,
  Courtenays captured Exeter city
• Failed Resumption: wanted to reduce Margaret’s spending to 10,000 marks/yr,
  wanted to protect Duchy of Lancaster from being used as patronage,
  wanted to alter the King’s power to deal patronage,
  didn’t gain enough support in nobility
• Disunity: Wiltshire and Exeter refused to work with York so Exeter jailed,
  couldn’t gain enough support in nobility for resumption,
  nobles reluctant to associate with York in case he was punished after the end of the Second Protectorate,
  Gruffydd ap Nicolas abused power and not dealt with in South Wales (jailed but escaped)
• Lack of Long-term Impacts: by Oct 1456 Margaret had replaced all Yorkist appointments,
  financial reforms reversed after end of Protectorate

CA: successfully dealt with much opposition, perhaps Courtenays were uncontrollable anyway