The Dartford Coup and York's first protectorate, 1450 - 1455

Question 1

5 reasons

Why did York return from Ireland:

Answer 1

1. To clear his name - there were roumours he was behinf Cade’s rebellion, especially since Cade used the Mortimer name linking him with York
2. To protect his position and remove Somerset - He was worried that if he was put on trial for treason, Somerset would be named heir. Somerset also held a lot of his lands, and York thought that Somerset’s position should be his.
3. To take the crown - while many people saw him as a replacement for Henry, at this point he claimed that he only wanted to be his advisor.
4. To bring justice and end corruption - He wanted to restore law and order to the country, especially after the rebellion. However, this is also what the rebels wanted and come thought it was a link between him and them.
5. To get his loans repaid - the government owed him £26,000 and he hadn’t been paid his wages as lieutenant of Ireland. In 1450 he was struggling to make ends meet and needed the money.

Question 2

Why did York stage the Dartford Coup?

Answer 2

York wanted to reform the government by getting it out of debt and replacing the advisors of the King, especially Somerset. York was jealous of Somerset’s position (e.g. replacing York as lieutenant of France), which he felt entitled to due to his royal blood. He also thought that he was acting against his enemies before they could act against him, but claimed loyaly to Henry throughout the entire process.

Question 3

4 reasons

Why did the Dartford Coup fail?

Answer 3

1. Kent did not rise up to support York, since they were probably still scared after the retribution following Cade’s rebellion (Harvest of Heads).
2. The campaign in France seemed to be going well, Henry was more active in overseeing justice in the South of England and the economy was doing well so popular discontent had eased.
3. Most of the noble lords were reluctant to take up arms against the King since York’s actions seemed treasonous. Only two noblemen, Earl of Devon andd Lord Cobham, joined him.
4. His actions were directed at Somerset, so people thought it was a personal grievance.

Question 4

Evidence to suggest York was still loyal to Henry during the Coup

Answer 4

He claimed that the coup was only to reform the government and get rid of Henry’s “evil” advisors, not get rid of Henry himself. York sent letters to Henry throughout his entire campaign stating his intentions to show how he was still on the King’s side.
After the coup he made a public apology outside St Paul’s Cathedral (although he was forced to do this by Henry).

Question 5

Evidence to suggest York wasn’t loyal to Henry during the Coup

Answer 5

He raised an army and fought against the King in a battle.
He wanted to undermine the King’s will in his choice of advisors.

Question 6

Why was York in a bad position after the Dartford Coup?

Answer 6

1. Parliament gave Henry more taxes for a military campaign, which was a sign of goodwill
2. The nobles seemed keen to unite under Henry (and Somerset) and end all suspicions of rebellion
3. Parliament recieved news of Margaret’s pregnancy

This all put Somerset in a good position, and York in a very bad one.

Question 7

How successful was York’s treatment of his nobles and his attempts to gain support during his first protectorate?

Answer 7

He tried to be inclusive and not just reward his friends. For example, he let Lord Bonville keep his position of power even though he was an enemy of York. However, this alienated York’s ally, the Earl of Devon who was looking foreward to taking Bonville’s place. Devon ended up fighting against York at the first battle of St Albains.
York was also seen to favour his friend, he aquitted (pardoned) Devon from the accusations of treason he faced for his role in the Dartford coup, and the Neville’s were favoured in the feud between them and the Percys.
York’s attempts to be even-handed were undermined by his treatment of Somerset, who was locked in the tower of London in 1453 due to accusations of treason for the loss of lands in France (however Yorks other nobles wouldn’t let him destroy Somerset). His treatment of Somerset meant that some nobles would never trust him.

Question 8

What successful economic reforms did York introduce?

Answer 8

1. He reduced the size of the royal household in 1454, and he reduced its expenditure from £24,000 in 1450 to £5,193 in 1455.
2. He was also able to get wool mechants to start loaning to the government again by promising to repay previous loans. He also took steps to increasing the size and power of the navy to protect merchant ships, which were very important to the economy of the country, and also provided a good income for the crown due to the duties collected on them (some years reaching £30,000)

Question 9

3 points

How well did York deal with disorder and injustice

Answer 9

1. York tried to be inpartial when dealing with disputes between nobles, but this often lost him his supports. For example, York’s attempt to deal with the Courtenay-Bonville feud lost him the support of his long-standing allies, the Courtenays.
2. While York distrubed lands and titles more impartially than the King, his treatment of Somerset led many to question his ability to be impartial. At the end of the day, he was just another noble with his own agenda.
3. He was able to successfully deal with the Percy-Neville feud, and captured the Percys at the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1454.

Question 10

When did York’s protectorate end?

Answer 10

Early January 1455

Question 11

Which of York’s actions between 1453 - 1455 fed into the spiral of mistrust?

Answer 11

He imprisoned Somerset, which was seen as petty and divisive, especially since Somerset’s government (1452 - 1453) had been relatively successful, and the nobles were eager for unity. This move would make Somerset eager to strike at York when he had the chance. This blatant attempt for power would also make Margaret worried about York’s ambitions to be heir even after the birth of Edward.

Question 12

Which of Somersets actions between 1453 - 1455 fed into the spiral of mistrust?

Answer 12

Once Henry recovered, he rejected the opportunity for a broad and balanced government by calling the Great Council (May 1455) and excluding York and the Nevilles. This made York feel unfairly left out, especially since he felt entiled to be at the centre of the government due to his royal blood. He feared Margaret and Somerset were plotting against him.

Question 13

Which of Maragert’s actions between 1453 - 1455 fed into the spiral of mistrust

Answer 13

In 1453 she put herself foreward as regent instead of York. She also showed favouritism to Somerset. This made York feel excluded and denied his right to be in the centre of the government due to his royal blood.

Question 14

Consequences of Henry’s recovery and the end of York’s Protectorate

Answer 14

1. Henry’s recovery ended York’s protectorate.
2. In early February 1455, Henry ordered the release of the Duke of Somerset.
3. Somerset was released on Feb 4th, returned to power a month later, made given the captaincy of Calais and all charges of treason against him were droped.
4. The Earl of Salisbury was replaced as chancellor by the Archbishop of Canterbury, leading to the release of the Duke of Exeter (who had been imprisoned by York for supporting the Percys).
5. York and the Neville’s left court without formally taking leave of the King, since York felt threatened now that Somerset had returned to power.