Importance Of York Protectorate Flashcards
The period 1449-53 was one of disaster for the English in the
Hundred Years War. Example
Normandy lost 1450, 1451-52 saw considerable losses in Gascony. The English finally lost the war on 17 July 1453, when their commander
John Talbot was killed at the Battle of Castillon. Led to Henry’s incapacity
When was Prince Edward born
October 1453
When was York made regent due to senioruty in terms of wealth and lineage
March 1454
What did York show during his first protectorate
Demonstrated statesman-like qualities that showed his willingness to govern in a just and non-partisan manner. Reduced mu h of disorger and openly declared loyalty to Prince Edward. Also surrounded himself with advisers who held a range of opinions
What was a problem with York’s protectorate
it is clear that the duke was not
trusted by the nobility as a whole and that there was real unease
about supporting York to take crucial decisions in the absence of
an effective monarch. It is notable, for example, that despite his
unpopularity in the country at large, Somerset remained in prison
but untried throughout the period of Henry’s illness, indicating
that York did not have enough backing to ensure a conviction by
the Lords in a trial.
What happened in
October 1453 that worried Somerset and Anjou
York now had the backing of the
powerful Neville family, who had switched their allegiance partly because of a land dispute with the duke of somerset over the lordship of Glamorgan. York therefore began
his Protectorate by appointing Richard Neville, earl of Salisbury as
chancellor.
What did Richard’s partisan move of appointing Richard Neville, earl of Salisbury as chancellor lead to?
enraged the Nevilles’ main
rivals in the North, the Percies. The Percies were backed by
Henry Holand, duke of Exeter, and Lord Egremont. By May, Lord
Egremont, the duke of Exeter and other rebels were attempting to
gain support in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire for an armed
rebellion against the new Protectorate.
How did York handle Percies unrest
On 19 May 1454, York
led a strong military force, backed by Lord Cromwell, against
the rebels and his opponents were forced to flee. July, York managed to capture Exeter and to imprison him
in Pontefract Castle.
Henry VI’s recovery from his illness in the Christmas of 1454 meant that
vulnerable and weak-willed King Henry, always easily influenced,
was quickly persuaded to release a number of those made
prisoners during York’s Protectorate, including the duke of Exeter
and the duke of Somerset. Somerset was completely exonerated
from the treason charges by Henry and resumed a leading
position in the king’s government. On 9 February 1455, York
resigned as Protector and a court faction around Margaret of
Anjou and Somerset regained power.
What undermined York publicly and was probably a key factor in
Increasing his desire for greater control within government?
The immediate political significance of the Protectorate was
weakened by its brevity and the fact that Henry VI reversed so
many of York’s decisions almost as soon as he recovered his wits.
Why is duke’s first period as Protectorste useful
a snapshot of how the duke
would seek to govern if he were king and it is fair to state that he
dealt reasonably well with the manifold problems that Henry’s
Poor leadership had created.
Most significant aspect of the Protectorate
The consolidation of his alliance with the powerful Nevilles
