MEDIEVAL DEPTH Study 1: The Crisis of 1399-1405 Flashcards
How old was Richard II when he was crowned king?
10 years old :/
How was Richard II’s age a problem?
Minority government created tension between men.
In terms of the argument that Richard II caused his own downfall, what is the example regarding his favourites?
He had extreme favourites (i.e.) William de la Pole and Robert de Vere- both strongly disliked.
De la Pole was made Chancellor and De Vere was given rank of ‘marquess’ and Duke of Ireland.
Why didn’t Richard II have an heir?
After the death of Anne of Bohemia it was deeply upset and not in the mood to father. He did marry the daughter of French King Charles VI Isabella but she was only 7 so couldn’t consummate marriage.
Who were the Lord Appellants and how did Richard try to deal with them?
Group of men making complaints about Richard II and his bias (i.e.) John of Gaunt and Thomas Woodstock. They wasn’t to put de Vere and de Pole on trial.
Battle between Richards supporters and Lord Appellants. Lord Appellants won and Richard was at their mercy.
What was the Merciless Parliament 1388?
Richards favourites were put on trial. Richard was no humiliated and hated Bolingbroke.
How could you argue that long-term causes were the reason for Richard II’s usurpation?
Minority- done by leading nobles (i.e.) John of Gaunt and Thomas Woodstock. Parliamentary records evidence the tension caused by the decisions made in the king’s name.
Taxes for unusually high in order to pay for military campaigns in France and Scotland (unsuccessful), evidenced by the number of French Raids from 1377-81, and increasing hostility for king’s councillors.
Poll tax introduced by John of Gaunt made everyone annoyed af, and tensions due to Black Death development- causes for Peasants Revolt 1381.
What kind of character was Henry Bolingbroke and how could this be evidence that he was the cause of the usurpation
“Warrior-like”, enjoying fencing etc etc.
How was Bolingbroke able to take control so easily?
Formed alliance with Duke of Orleans- foreign support.
Came across that he only wanted inheritance and so Richard wouldn’t have taken him as seriously.
Richard was in Ireland and so little resistance.
How was Henry VI’s first parliament evidence that he was always out to get the crown?
39 indictments against Henry- he obvs had a lot against Richard II and recognised them before he “wanted to claim his inheritance back” because he wouldn’t be able to whip up that many on the spot.
How did Henry’s usurpation potentially cause a problem for him in his early reign?
it opened the eyes of other nobles by showing their opportunities. Also, made Richians angry af. His usurpation shows nobles that an unpopular king could be usurped by an ‘over-mighty’ noble provided he had enough military support, and from now on the king’s conduct lay open to the criticism and potential judgement of his subjects.
Epiphany Rebellion.
How did Henry’s poor relations with nobles lead to problems in his early reign?
The Hotspur Rebellion- not being allowed to ransom Scottish prisoners at Homildon Hill, or the pressure Henry left Hotspur under when he left him to deal with the Glyndwr Rebellion when he fucked off to Scotland.
Although the rebels were defeated at Shrewsbury-serious threat as the bodies were displayed (deterrent?)
A historian can be certain that Henry’s usurpation didnt cause the rebellion- Percies massively dissatisfied with Richard II’s treatment and so lent their support to Henry VI’s usurpation and regime.
How did mismanagement of finances lead to problems in Henry’s early reign?
Rewarded his followers with lots of money. Used it on celebrations and gave some ladies in court £50,000!
Thus, was poor and frequently requested money from prelates and his noble.
Royal officers were leaving posts due to lack of pay.
Speaker of Parliament attacked him for the £50K to ladies and said he had to sack 4 members of Royal Household and reduce Royal expenditure from £42,000 to £12,000.
Scrope rebellion.
The Long Parliament 1406-demands before taxes granted.
What can you say about rebellions within the country when discussing how secure the Lancastrian dynasty was by 1405?
Epiphany rebellion was sig as it aimed to kill Henry IV and his brothers and put Edmund Mortimer on throne.
Scrope Rebellion sig as it was led by high figures like Lord Scrope Archbishop of York and Thomas Mowbray, and Henry became incapacited for a week immediately after Scropes death.
A.L. Brown argues Henry’s execution of Scrope is a result of the strain the king was feeling,
What can you say about foreign threats when discussing how secure the Lancastrian dynasty was by 1405?
Scotland planned attack on England in 1400 which was bad time as Henry had just usurped. When he went up there no decision was made, then he learnt of Glyndwr. Got so bad Parliament had to stop sending food to Wales.
Threats from outside the country were especially significant as they seemed to team up and help each other (i.e.) French sent 2500 troops to help Glyndwr.
