The Early Actions of Richard, Duke of York 1450 - 1455 Flashcards
Why did York return?
Clear his name: Cade had used York’s mothers maiden name (mortimer) to show support, however this made it seem like York was looking to gain power, ie Somerset, who worried that York was looking to usurp his job. York did bring 3000 men to London, perhaps to deal with the rebels but he was late doing so. However, York was fearful of being portrayed as a traitor (Glos’ treatment) and sent many letters to affirm his loyalty to H6.
Repay loans: By 1450 York was selling his lands to meet debts, as the govt had not repaid the 26k plus wages for Lt of Ireland, and it seemed Somerset was being paid ahead of him.
Protect position: York was resentful of the position of Chief Advisor to the king. He was also fearful that if he was found guilty, Somerset was to be made heir. However, Tonge’s Bill in 1451 shows how little noble and gentry support he had.
Remove Somerset: Protests in London over the losses of Normandy that were inflamed by York’s return, Somerset had to be put into the tower for his protection.
End Corruption: York saw himself as a beacon for justice and anti-corruption - 1450 released a statement affirming his loyalty and asking for traitors to the throne to be brought to justice.
To take the throne: York gave no impression of this, even Cade’s Manifesto wanted to replace the councillors with those of royal blood (Buckingham, RDY), and he worked his way through parliament to pass bills. However, one of Moleyns’ murderers said they wanted to place RDY on the throne.
Dartford Coup
RDY made a frustrated attempt to impeach Somerset in parliament, but when this failed, he decided that only force of arms would do.
Feb 1452, RDY’s army marched from Ludlow and met H6’s army at Dartford, but RDY had miscalculated – support did not materialise – only 2 noblemen joined him
Reasons for failure at Dartford
Campaigning in France seemed to be going well; parliament voted a tax to the king, and Henry seemed to be active in overseeing justice in the south of England.
Majority of nobility were unwilling to take up arms against the King
Apart from the Earl of Devon (William Courtenay) and Lord Cobham, the most powerful nobles in the kingdom, including the Duke of Buckingham and the Neville Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, remained loyal to the King.
RDY’s tactic of opening sending letters to towns in advance, to gain support, forewarned Henry who was also able to raise an army
London remained loyal
Kent did not rise up – probably still afraid following the retribution meted out in early 1451 during the harvest of heads.
The economy was doing a bit better, so popular discontent had eased.
York’s actions were directed at Somerset, so people thought he was motivated by personal grievance.
RDY’s actions had more than a hint of treason about them, which would have put nobles off from supporting him. RDY outnumbered and forced to submit, as well as make a public apology in St Paul’s and made RDY even more resentful of Somerset.
Henry’s illness
Somerset steered the government in one of its more successful phases, 1452 to early 1453: Nobility seemed determined to unite behind H6 and end disorder and fears of rebellion, Parliament met in early 1453 and granted more taxes for another military expedition – sign of goodwill towards H6.
In August 1453, after hearing of devastating defeats in France, H6 suffered a mental breakdown. Margaret of Anjou assumed a more active role in politics. Somerset was involved in the christening of Prince Edward, showing that two sides were beginning to form.
York’s first protectorate: March 1454 to Feb 1455
Delay of some months between Henry’s illness beginning and the appointment of York owed to reservations that York would seek revenge on Somerset.
Tension had risen since Somerset had been confined to the Tower in Nov 1453: when Parliament was called for Feb 1454, attendance was so poor that fines were introduced for non-attendance.
York did his best to be even-handed (Bonvilles and Courtenays) with the nobles.
Successes: RDY’s protectorate was short-lived, but in 12 months he did succeed in reducing the size and expenditure of the royal household and restoring greater law and order, esp in the north. Persuaded wool merchants to resume making loans, attempted reforms for the navy to protect trade routes. Dealt effectively with Exeter-Egremont rising (Egremont was second son of Percys).
Weaknesses: Failed to deal with disputes in Devon, Wales and Derbyshire. His treatment of Somerset undermined his work when dealing with the nobility ex: nobles who did not accept York’s authority; the Longfords, who did not feel that they could get justice from York in their disputes with the Blounts, the latter being supporters of York.
Consequnces of the protectorate
Protectorate played a large part in settling sides:
Dartford, 1452 – RDY had no support.
St Albans, 1455 – RDY has Neville support, but he has also more confirmed enemies, e.g. Percys, Exeter, who backed Somerset.
Majority of nobles stopped short of openly supporting RDY, preferring caution and aloofness.
Failed to have Somerset put on trial for treason though and fell short of enlisting all but a handful of nobles to serve in his government.
Somerset: Well aware that, should the king recover, Somerset would also recover his power and York would then be in a vulnerable position. York had wanted to bring Somerset to trial but was prevented from doing so – instead, left in in the Tower without bringing a charge against him. However, York did manage to have himself appointed Captain of Calais in Somerset’s place.
York’s removal from the first protectorate
By Dec 1454, York seemed to be in a good position: Somerset in the Tower, Exeter in Pontefract Castle, Richard Percy and Lord Egremont were locked up in Newgate debtor’s prison for failing to pay £11,200 damages to Nevilles. However, since the birth of MoA’s son she had become worried about the threat Richard posed to his heirship, and so when H6 began to recover (Christmas Day onwards) Margaret tightened her political grip on court.
Henry’s recovery: Reportedly made in early January - ordered release of Exeter from Pontefract (ignored by Salisbury, the constable) Somerset’s release and return to central government, with all charges dropped and captaincy of calais returned to him.
York’s response to the actions of Margaret of Anjou
MOA was determined to destroy RDY, and although his powers as protector were stripped, she failed to have him banished from court. In fact, H6 publicly recognised RDY’s importance by declaring him to be his principal royal adviser. Margaret, however, persuaded H6 to exclude York from the decision-making process on important matters of state, and Somerset was released from the Tower and reappointed to the king’s council and post of Captain of Calais.
York and the Nevilles left court without formally taking leave of the king.
Mutual fears in early 1455: Somerset was worried that if he king fell ill again, RDY would return as Protector and put him on trial for treason; RDY was worried that Somerset would use his recovered power to strike back at RDY.
Somerset made no attempt to establish a broad-based and inclusive council. Had the government dealt differently to the Nevilles, there is every reason that they would have remained loyal to a dynasty which had served them well in the past, which would have retuned York to the situation he had found himself in during 1452.
Somerset called a Great Council (parliament) at Leicester but did not invite RDY or the Nevilles, who interpreted this as the first move in having them accused of treason. If this had been Somerset’s intention, he might not have succeeded as majority of nobles might have stopped him. RDY and Nevilles thought the only way to save themselves was by force.
H6 a puppet in hands of wife : RDY fled north to raise and army – he, with the support of the Nevilles, intended to impose his will on H6 and his council
