role of Richard, duke of York, in the outbreak and continuation of the Wars of the Roses? Flashcards
P1- Agree.
Without his actions in the early 1450s, tensions between rival factions may not have arisen. Similarly, his ambition and determination not to compromise led to the continuation of the dispute until his death in 1460.
P1- York powerful
the most powerful noble in the country, owning vast landed estates and, before October 1453, he was also the next in line to the throne
P1- St Paul’s Cathedral
York put crown on Henry’s head, signalling that he had the power to take it away.
P1- how he contributed after ludford bridge
When York in exile after Ludford Bridge, negotiated with Anglo-Irish political leaders while in Ireland and granted them considerable, unprecedented levels of political recognition and autonomy at the Drogheda parliament of 1460. In return, duke gained a large number of archers and other resources to assist with his attack.
P1- what shows he wanted throne for himself
He soon began to display the trappings of a monarchy and, 10 Oct, provocatively entered parliament and laid his hands on the empty throne, apparently seeking to claim the crown.
P1- limitation
However, the conflict did not end with York’s death. This suggests that other factors may have played an equally important part
P2- Weakness of Henry 7
incompetent rule and episodes of insanity, easily influenced, didn’t act like a monarch, poor royal finances.intensely spiritual so unconcerned with wordly matters- set up Eton and King’s College. Left a political vacuum. . Furthermore, Henry’s weak leadership, with many bouts of mental instability and over-generosity to favourites, meant his nobles could weed their way to the top and threaten his leadership. John Watts argued the medieval system of government simply couldn’t function for a long period of time without an active monarch, which is why the country developed into civil war. He was easy to manipulate – in the period 1455–60, whoever controlled the king could control the country.
P2- Weakness of Henry, poor financial management
Henry’s lack of financial management had left him in massive debt. By 1450, the Crown was £372,000 in arrears. This particularly affected nobles such as York who had lost lands and income in France and were owed money for their services in France which were not paid – York was owed nearly £40,000.
P2- Weakness of Henry local disputes
allowing local disputes to get out of control, for example the Nevilles andPercys in the North and the Bonvilles and Courtenays in the South-West. Without a strong king, these disputes escalated and led to side taking, with the Nevilles and Courtenays looking to York for support against their enemies. If there had been a stronger or more decisive king on the throne, members of the nobility such as York or the Nevilles would have been kept under control
P2- concluding line
It was the weakness of Henry VI and his failures as king that led to York’s alienation and allowed war to break out and to continue.
P2- How Henry caused rivalry between York and Somerset
Period of incapacity meant York appointed protectorate march 1454 which led to intensified factional rivalry when he put Somerset in prison. When he recovered, factions allied to Somerset and queen rejuvenated. Released d. Exeter and d. Somerset. He was completely exonerated from the treason charges by Henry and resumed a leading position in the king’s government. This undermined York publicly and probs a key factor in increasing hiss desire for greater control within govt. Led to the first battle of WOR the First Battle of St Albans May 1455, showing hw Henry’s mental bouts directly caused tension that erupted in violence and fuelled WOR.
P2- Henry’s indecisiveness and the way in which he could be manipulated by those around him alienated those such as York, who were angry at the king’s misgovernment. example
Henry VI, advised by his wife Margaret of Anjou, surrounded himself with a circle of favourites from which York was excluded. These favourites, such as Somerset, received important grants, such as the influential role of Captain of Calais in 1451
- If it had not been for the weakness of Henry VI’s rule, it is unlikely that York would have rebelled in the first place.
P2 limitations
his inadequacies may have been overstated by many chroniclers because the impression was increased by the comparison between his father and treaty of troyes 1420
P3- It was rival powerbases. York began first Protectorate by appointing Richard Neville, earl of Salisbury, as chancellor. What did this mean
. Angered percies, backed by d. Exeter and Lord Egremont, powerful nobles.
P3-rival powerbases. Captaincy of Calais
Captaincy of Calais to Richard Neville, giving him an important powerbase during late 1450s, which he used to great effect in his support of the Yorkist cause. After Parliament of Devils, Warwick’s influence in Calais and the town’s important strategic location provided them with considerable numbers of armed troops and a base to operate from on the channel. Also able to raise money via piracy, mainly against French, increasing popular standing in Eng, especially in capital.
P3- rival powerbases, Ludford Bridge Shropshire Oct 1459
King’s forces marched against York and he was forced to go into exile. 1459, Henry VI was convinced by Margaret of Anjou, Humphrey Stafford (d. Buckingham) that York was plotting to seize the throne.
Subsequent parliament at Coventry, packed with Lancastrian supporters, was vicious in its revenge against York, Warwick and Salisbury. ‘Parliament of Devils’ condemned the leading Yorkists to death in their absence and completely disinherited them and their heirs. This made Yorkists eager to regain control in England. June 1460, Battle of Northampton against Lancastrians. This led to an Act of Accord 1460, which disinherited prince and made Richard king’s heir instead.
P3- rival powerbases, estates
the Lancastrians were based in the royal estates around Coventry and the Midlands, which is why the Parliament of Devils was held there in 1459 since it was easier for Margaret of Anjou to control Parliament away from London and so condemn the Yorkists in their absence, causing further tension. In the same way, York was able to flee to Ireland in 1459 and Warwick was able to use his Captaincy at Calais to protect himself and raise troops. This situation meant that neither side was able to gain the upper hand in the conflict as both were able to withdraw, regroup and recruit armies when they needed to. This contributed to the continuation of the civil war.
P3 summary
So basically the nevilles support meant percys joined then royal estates and captaincy
Rival powerbases
group, etc. competing with others for the same thing with a source of authority, influence, or support
P4- inconclusive nature of the fighting meaning
the nature of the fighting where neither side was able to force a victory
P4- York
York Lacked determination in actions so during periods of political ascendancy, failed to consolidate position and 1455 did not completely rid royal govt of Lancastrian supporters so they were able to remove him from his role as protector. Feb 1456.
P4- why york made it inconclusive
Significant section of the nobility remained uncertain about the growing power of York and unwilling to give him unqualified backing also fearful he would use Act of Resumption to take crown lands back. E.g. Somerset in prison but never charged despite his unpopularity.
Inconclusive
Not leading to a firm result, indecisive
P4- always fled when it was thought a battle couldnt have been won example
e.g. Ludford Bridge, queen and Prince Edward escaping to the North at Towton.
