p1-The Minority of Henry VI and the Origins of the Wars of the Roses Flashcards
1- Why was a council established to rule England and Henry’s will set aside?
- H6 king of England 9 months old
- H5 never said his son, but set a will about how things should be governed during the minority
- Some disputes to who should rule on behalf of the king
- Royal council named in parliament with condition minor patronage in the hands of the king, major grant by a council
- Main opponents to Gloucester was Beaufort.
3- Duke of Orleans in Richard’s minority- what happened
- Gloucester demanded Orleans was not released, but 1440 entered public protest to the king, manifesto against Beaufort whom he wanted removed from the council
- Gloucester claimed he used loans for personal gain, was beginning to sell crown lands
- Theme of manifesto was the cardinal established a stranglehold over policy
- After Orleans released, Gloucester had a second protest arguing that it was a sign of weakness.
- Government responded with a counter-manifesto
Who was arrested for sorcery and what happened to them?
- Summer of 1441 Thomas Southwell and Roger Bolingbroke (clerks) arrested for practicing against the king’s life by sorcery
- Bolingbroke renounced his Black Arts, rumours began he had been instigated by Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester’s 2nd wife.
She was arrested and tried. She admitted to sorcery and had to perform penance. - Southwell died in prison and Bolingbroke hanged
What happened with the council in H6’s majority?
- remained virtually identical with regulations drawn in 1406 reissued to guide the council
- Attendance began to decline, by 1438, there were a small number of attendees
- By 1444 the idea of all major grants should be scrutinized was no longer occurring
5- Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester role in the conciliar government
- Parton of the arts
- Military career: Agincourt and Normandy
- “keeper” of England under H5, popular in London
How successful was the minority of H6 in managing finances?
• Cost of maintaining war not beyond resources but combination of careless attitude to maintaining finances in early minority.
• Commons didn’t have same confidence in government led to mounting debts
• Englishmen assumed on conquering territory French would pay for it, 6 year gap between a grant of extraordinary taxes between 1422-1428.
Nearly all new councillors sought financial gain from new situation they found themselves in
What did H5’s death mean for finances?
Henry V’s death meant loans were called in and English merchants now paid lower custom duties
What are key financial dates for H6’s minority?
• 1433, debts increasing and bookkeeping totals hid true figures
• 1433, commons granted a whole subsidy but reduced total assessment by £4,000 and reductions became regular feature of grants as expenses grew
• 1433, Lord Cromwell started an investigation in royal finances. Found a deficit of £21,000 for that year on top of £164,800 outstanding.
• 1432, granted one half subsidy and quashed complicated land tax
1429, commons referred to deterioration of order and made a strong plea for better enforcement of statute against liveries
1428, dispute between duke of Norfolk and earl of Huntingdon caused rioting in East Anglia, by 1430 Richard Beauchamp (earl of Warwick) was involved.
Council found hard to control feuds as protagonists were often members
What happened after the fall of Orleans?
• Commons granted double subsidy.
1430subsidy and a third graduated land tax on estates of a whole knight’s fee or more or worth £20 per annum
Why did the government need subsidies?
Needed to clear debts before expenses of war considered
What about finances in H6’s minority were reasonable?
After 1429, devoted themselves to a national cause and made personal sacrifices. Refused Gloucester’s regency 1422 but worked with him.
What led to the decline of trust in the King’s government on terms of finances in H6’s minority?
• After 1435, demise of Bed ford and collapse of Anglo-Burgundian alliance led to decline in order of the country
King’s majority in 1437 meant he would now be taking decisions for himself
