MEDIEVAL DEPTH Study 3: Renewed Crises and Challenges 1449-1461 Flashcards
What was Henry VI’s personality?
Did not take an active role in leading his men into battle.
No authority over men and very easily manipulated.
Little interests in normal nobles pursuits (i.e.) hunting, jousting, and fashion.
Unconcerned with worldly matters as he was intensely spiritual and so spent his time setting up institutions for educating future priests (i.e.) King’s College, Cambridge.
How was Henry VI’s personality a problem in his reign?
He did not have authority over his subjects.
The fact that he focused on education and did not take interest in military means they did not respect him.
The fact that he wasnt interested in fashion is a problem as sumptuous clothing was considered an important display of wealth and power at home and when making domestic negotiations.
What is the argument that you can use in another paragraph that Henry VI wasn’t actually that bad?
The hagiography at the end of the century developed substantially and people were campaigning to have him canonised as a saint.
This influenced later interpretations of Shakespeare’s depiction of Henry as a very devout man.
How did the key personality of Margaret of Anjou affect the governance of England?
Humphery of Gloucester openly opposed Henry’s marriage to Anjou, and so she sought support in Somerset and Suffolk. This helped to confirm her reputation as a queen who promoted factionalism and interference in politics.
She was very determined in protecting her young son’s claim. As a result, she actively opposed York and Warwick, and tried to seek regency for herself.
Margaret of Anjou encouraged her husband to agree to vengeful acts (i.e.) The Parliament of Devils which increased tensions.
How did the key personality of Suffolk affect the governance of England?
Overmighty subject controlling an under-mighty king. He was deeply unpopular as he manipulated the king to give himself the lion’s share of royal patronage and lordship of Guines.
He was targeted in the 1450 parliament, but Henry pardoned him and banished him for 5 years. On the way to the Low Countries he was executed by ‘Nicholas of the Tower’. They called it a judicial murder and so this was embarrassing for the government, this would’ve made Henry target for criticism as well for allowing the situation to become so uncontrolled.
What was the argument that you can use in another paragraph that Margaret of Anjou didn’t have that much of an influence?
The way we perceive Anjou has been heavily influenced by sources made to support the Yorkist claim. It’s highly unlikely that Margaret could have affected any key changes in government policy as she did not command military support.
How did Henry V leave Henry VI in a really difficult position?
Henry followed an exceptionally successful father of unusually HIGH LEVELS OF MILITARY SUCCESS (i.e.) Battle of Agincourt, Treaty of Troyes. There is just such a contrast between the two.
Left him with an extremely complex legacy of KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE, and many people did not even accept his claim.
Henry V’s expensive military campaign left Henry VI in a DIFFICULT FINANCIAL SITUATION. It’s so bad that by the end of Henry V’s reign, the parliament that adored him were starting to complain and became more reluctant to grant money.
So the key personalities didn’t make it a bad reign, but instead its just that Henry VI was left in an extremely difficult situation.
How did kings advisers cause Cade’s rebellion?
Grievances against Lord Saye-king treasurer at a time when financial corruption had led to the misuse of taxes for the defence of France, therefore contributing to England’s defeat at Normandy, and who held local reputation for violence and avarice.
Crowner- local sheriff noted for his corruption.
When rumours spread that these two had threatened widespread destruction in the region in revenge for the attack on Suffolk.
Also, king’s advisers suspected him of taking advantage of king to obtain an unjustified proportion of royal patronage.
What was the economic cause of Cade’s rebellion?
High taxation to fund an unsuccessful war in France (i.e.) loss of Normandy. Somerset was being particularly blamed as he was in charge of English military operations in France.
What were the key events of Cade’s rebellion?
Ambushed a group of king’s men, killing Humphery and William Stafford.
Mutiny- king’s former soldiers rampaging London and attacking properties of ‘enemies of the realm’.
Henry arrested Lord Saye to appease the mob.
Campaign got more support so the king fled.
Mob controls London and executes Lord Saye.
Henry tried to appease again by ordering a commission to investigate their complaints.
Cades army grew-threat as these men were seasoned veterans.
46K, and shows perceived threat if not actual number.
Londoners fought the mob off the London Bridge.
What were the political grievances of Cade’s rebels?
Richard Duke of York had been excluded from court.
Wanted duke of Exeter, Buckingham and Norfolk to form a part of royal council so there can be a range of advice.
Evil councillors like Lord Saye.
There should be access to the king for the purposes of petitioning and obtaining justice.
Misgovernment and corruption among royal law enforcement officers in Kent especially.
How did Cade’s rebellion weaken the king’s reputation?
Henry didn’t face rebels himself which contrasts Richard II at Peasants Revolt 1381.
How did Cade’s rebellion prove a breakdown in law and order in England?
Proves serious breakdown in law and order for rebels to be able to take hold of the capital and have Henry trying to appease them by agreeing to a royal commission to examine their complaints.
How did Cade’s rebellion spark more political tension?
Even though York was in Ireland, his name on the grievances was to spark the duke’s growing involvement in domestic politics in a radical way.
What happened partially due to Cade’s rebellion, but was already probs gonna happen, but the Cade rebellion pushed it to happen but yeah you get the idea?
Act of Resumption in 1450 parliament to recover most of land given away by Henry VI. Major humiliation, but done to appease public opinion and resolve the increasingly desperate position of royal finance. H/O, not only the result of revolt as commoners had already petitioned for this.
