Phase 1 (1445-61) Flashcards
Long term causes:
Edward III
huge family with many sons
eldest son didn’t succeed as he died - his son took over.
Long term causes:
Henry IV
usurped Richard II which set a dangerous precedent
faced constant rebellion as well as long term illness
Short term causes:
Henry VI
he was weak
huge debt
over-mighty nobility / favourites
lawlessness and disorder
When did Henry reach the age of majority?
1437
What did John Cosgrove report in 1446?
naval and coastal security were neglected, labelling Henry as indecisive and slow to react
Who did Henry leave military affairs to?
his uncles Bedford and Gloucester
When was Henry crowned King of France?
1431
What was the Treaty of Tours?
1444
Made fragile peace with France
marriage to Margaret of Anjou.
What was wrong with Henry’s marriage?
it was unpopular
20,000 francs dowry didn’t arrive
Henry gave away Maine and Anjou
What land was lost in France and when?
1450 Normandy was lost
1451 Gascony was lost
How much was the royal debt by 1450?
£370,000
How much of the royal debt was owed to Richard alone?
£38,000
How much had crown income fallen?
£120,000 in the early 15th C to £45,000
Why was there a loss in income?
trade depression
inflation and rent arrears
increase spending on war
increase in loans, at interest, to Italian bankers and merchants
By what year was the Lancastrian dynasty bankrupt?
1455
Who were the Evil Councillors and why?
Somerset, Suffolk and Cardinal Henry Beaufort
because they gained the most patronage
When did Henry reach majority and why was it bad?>
1437
meant he came under the influence of Evil Councillors
How was Henry’s uncle, Gloucester, brought down?
1447
Cardinal Beaufort accused his wife of witchcraft
Gloucester died of suspicious circumstances
How much did Henry borrow from Beaufort and why was it bad?
£200,000
Henry didn’t realise it made him beholden
What did Margaret do to William de la Pole which made them both more unfavourable?
1448
Margaret made him Duke of Suffolk as a reward for setting up the marriage.
Dukedom’s were for royal blood only, of which de la Pole wasn’t.
What was York labelled when Henry didn’t have an heir?
Heir presumptive
When did York serve as military commander in France?
1436-7
1440-5
What happened when York was replaced by Somerset as Captain of Calais?
demanded some of his £38,000 he was owed or military service
York was sent to Ireland
Why was being sent to Ireland such an insult to York?
he was clearly an able military commander.
the Irish resisted English influence leaving the country a mess.
It was a waste of York’s talents
When did Henry ask Parliament for money for France and what happened?
Feb and Nov 1449
only half the money granted and Somerset and Suffolk blamed for losses in France
What happened to Suffolk when Henry asked Parliament again for money?
Parliament charged Suffolk with treason
Henry banished him for five years to try and save him
ship was intercepted by Nicholas of the Tower
summary execution
Common said they would only provide the money if an Act of Resumption was passed.
What was Cade’s rebellion?
1450
peasants from Kent pleading for government to be changed.
- removal of corrupt officials in Kent
- restore law and order
- removal of “evil councillors”
- York, Buckingham and Exeter to the King’s council.
Managed to take London and captured Lord Treasurer and executed Lord Saye.
What was York’s role in Cade’s rebellion?
No evidence that he was involved.
Left Ireland September 1450 for Parliament and gave two bills of complaint
- personal grievances about his position as heir, debts and exclusion.
- General grievances echoing Cade’s
What did York do to get Henry to meet his demands (following Cade’s rebellion)?
used his 3,000 armed retainers to persuade him.
York was appointed to the Council, Act of Resumption passed and promise to restore law and order.
Who was Thomas Yonge?
MP
proposed bill to recognise York as heir, but he was put in the Tower.
Not executed which shows Henry’s weakness.
What happened to Somerset after Cade’s rebellion?
he was made Captain of Calais
What was the Dartford Uprising?
York had tried to impeach Somerset but failed.
Feb 1452 York’s army met the King’s
Most nobles stayed loyal to the King and so York submitted.
Public apology at St Paul’s and an oath to stay loyal.
Margaret announced she was pregnant.
When was Henry’s first mental breaksdown and what happend?
August 1453 after he heard of losses in France
Margaret and Somerset tried to sideline York
Nobility wanted York to take control
Margaret put Somerset in the Tower
Neville family favoured York because the Percy’s were with Margaret.
When was York named Protector and what did he do?
March 1454 - lasted one year
reduced royal expenditure and size of household.
restored law and order
failed to put Somerset on trial
When was Prince Edward born?
October 1453
couldn’t be recognised until Henry recovered.
When did Henry recover from his first breakdown and what happend?
December 1454
Margaret got control back and tried to destroy York.
Henry declared York main royal adviser but Margaret persuaded him to exclude York.
Somerset was released
York fled North to raise an army with the Nevilles.
What were York’s aims by the end of 1454?
get rid of Somerset
sideline Margaret
control Henry
Not after the crown
To be chief Councillor
What was the build up to the first battle of St Albans?
Somerset and Margaret convinced Henry York was a traitor
Summoned York to Leicester who arrived with 3,000 men.
Henry only had 2,000 so he was forced to negotiate, however battle ensued.
What was the first Battle of St Albans?
22nd May 1455
Only a skirmish, with 60 - 70 killed including Somerset and Henry Percy. King Henry was hit by an arrow.
What happened after the first Battle of St Albans?
York didn’t have enough support so he had to compromise.
He was appointed to the Council as Henry’s Chief Adviser
Warwick was made Captain of Calais
When was the second time Henry broke into insanity?
After first Battle of St Albans
York served as protector from Nov 1455 to Feb 1456
When/what was the Loveday?
March 1458 - Henry attempted reconciliation
Its a ritual where enemies march together to St Paul’s to heal divisions.
Bloody conflict broke out. York was in Ireland and Margaret and Warwick fell out. She tried to arrest him for piracy and riot but failed.
What were the Battle of Blore Heath and Ludford?
Margaret and Buckingham had raised an army
