Problems during the first decades of Henry's reign

Question 1

What problem did Gloucester and Beaufort cause?

Answer 1

They caused a divide in the government since they wouldn’t stop fighting

Question 2

Why did Gloucester and Beaufort have a problem?

Answer 2

1. Gloucester could have been jealous of Beaufort’s finances
2. Gloucester thought that Beaufort had too much influence and wanted more political power for himself, whilst Beaufort wanted to keep his power.
3. They later argued over wether or not to go to war in France, and split the government into two different factions over this.

Question 3

What problem did Gloucester cause in France?

Answer 3

Whilst the Dauphin was trying to take back lands in France, Gloucester had gained some lands n France when he married Jacqueline of Hainault in 1423, which had previously belonged to Philip, Duke of Burgundy. He was England’s greatest ally in France, and Gloucester’s actions alienated him. By 1435 Phillip allied against England with Charles VII.

Question 4

Why did Gloucester seek lands in France?

Answer 4

As a direct relative of the King, he would have expected to hold lands and have influence, however Henry didn’t seem to favour him, so he sought influence in France.

Question 5

How did Henry anger some of his older nobles (esp. York and Gloucester)?

Answer 5

Henry made his older Dukes feel unvalued and isolated when they thought they should be his chief advisors due to their relation to the King and their high status. Henry made them feel this way by:
1. Making William De La Pole, Duke of Suffolk his chief advisor and letting him control the decisions in parliament. In 1447 he was made Lord Chancellor. However he was of a lower standing than the other noblemen, and his promotion to Lord Chancellor greatly angered the Duke of York, who felt the position should have been his.
2. Sending the Duke of York to France and then to Ireland, making him feel pushed aside.

Question 6

3 points

What problems did Suffolk cause

Answer 6

1. He was accused by many different people of “privatising” public revenues. In 1450 MPs impeached him and some of his supporters for misappropriating lay taxes to make themselves rich. Historian W. Stubbs accused him of the same in 1878.
2. He lied to parliament about the clause in the Treaty of Tours (1444) ceding Anjou and Maine back to the French in exchange for marrying Margaret (who didn’t have a dowry).
3. With Somerset, Suffolk had approved an attack on Fougeres in France, reopening hostilities with France in Normandy. By 1450 all of Normandy had been lost.

Question 7

How did York and Gloucester react to the Treaty of Tours?

Answer 7

Gloucester’s opposition to the Treaty led to him being arrested for treason and dying in prison (probably a stroke).
York was very angered by the treaty since he was lieutenant of France at the time. After Gloucester’s death, York became next in line to the throne. However he was replaced by the Duke of Somerset in France (who was given £3000 as a reward) and made Lieutenant of Ireland. This worsened relations between the Yorks and the Beauforts, and made him feel slighted.

Question 8

3 points

What economic problems were there?

Answer 8

1. Toward the closing of the minority government, there was a royal debt of £168,000 (1433).
2. Suffolk and his supporters were mismanaging money, leading to parliament not wanting to give it to them.
3. By 1450 the crown had a debt of £372,000, and its only hope was for a parliamentary lay.

Question 9

How did the common people feel about these problems?

Answer 9

1. They were angry at the loss of lands in France, this would have been a big blow to their pride.
2. They were mad about the increased taxes (which were an attempt to help the crown’s debts)
3. They were mad that Suffolk was allowed to run free and that York was pushed aside.