Success of Yorkists 1459-61

Question 1

what were the factors in the Yorkists victory in 1461?

Answer 1

earl of Warwick
Lancastrian mistakes
weakness of Henry VI
strengths of Edward IV

Question 2

what was Warwick known as?

Answer 2

‘kingmaker’

Question 3

what battle did Warwick play a key role in?

Answer 3

towton

Question 4

how did Warwick help at towton?

Answer 4

gathered men from midlands as reinforcements that were decisive in Yorkist victory

Question 5

what did Warwick do whilst Edward claimed throne?

Answer 5

• quelled Lancastrian resistance in north

- w/ his brother Lord Montagu (John Neville)

Question 6

what did Warwick do after Towton?

Answer 6

• stayed in north to quell unrest
• suppressing Yorkshire and durham in early 1461
• oversaw submission of dustinburgh and Alnwick castle

Question 7

what did Lancastrians do after Wakefield?

Answer 7

• plundered land - especially land owned by enemies

- such as Grantham and stamford

Question 8

what did the Lancastrians plundering lead to?

Answer 8

• made her army unpopular
• led to wild rumours in south of impending vandalism they felt would be unleashed upon them for supporting the Yorkists
• led to people in SE supporting Yorkists
• gave excellent fuel for Yorkist propaganda

Question 9

what did Margaret of Anjou do after second battle of St.Albans ?

Answer 9

• didn’t force her way into LDN

- instead preferred to negotiate

Question 10

what did Anjou do whilst negotiating an entrance to LDN?

Answer 10

whilst she dithered, city also dithered afraid of pillaging and repercussion for Yorkist support

Question 11

what did Anjou do in regards to LDN?

Answer 11

• decided against forcing the issue and watched her supporters back north to consolidate
• provided Yorkists w/ initiative and gave them money and troops

Question 12

what did the people realise about Henry VI by 1461?

Answer 12

Henry VI was a very weak king and no longer fit to rule

Question 13

when was his first catatonic state and for how long?

Answer 13

• august 1453, after receiving news of loss of Castillon

- in catatonic state until December 1454

Question 14

when did Henry suffered his second attack?

Answer 14

suffered second bout of madness after 2nd battle of st Albans

Question 15

what was Henry doing 1456?

Answer 15

• by 1456 only singing official documents

- anjou was running country

Question 16

what did Edward have a great ability for?

Answer 16

• great ability as a military leader and he commanded the respect of his men
• had a strong character and a man wise beyond his years

Question 17

what battle was his military prowess first seen at?

Answer 17

mortimers cross 2/3 feb 1461

Question 18

what happened at mortimer’s cross and how did Edward use it to his advantage?

Answer 18

• a parhelia appeared to show 3 separate suns
• since one fo Ed’s badges was a sun, he took as a sign from god of impending victory
• he gave a rousing speech

Question 19

what was the result at mortimer’s cross?

Answer 19

battle won by Yorkists w/ 3000 Lancastrians dead

Question 20

how tall was Edward ?

Answer 20

standing over 6ft he was instantly recognisable to his troops

Question 21

what did Edward do @ towton?

Answer 21

showed king-like leadership

-gave an inspiring pre-battle speech, raising spirits of men