The Origins of Conflict (1450-1455) Flashcards
When did Somerset surrender Rouen?
1449
1450
July - Somerset surrendered Caen.
October - York returns from Ireland. He presents a series of letters - known as ‘bills’ to King Henry VI.
November - Parliament meets at Westminster led by Sir William Oldhall (one of York’s leading councillors).
Parliamentary petition seeks to remove 31 named individuals from the King’s Court - top of the list is Duke of Somerset
Somerset imprisoned in Tower of London (for own safety)
Parliament enacted an Act of Resumption to try and restore royal finances
The barons/ peerage unhappy with York’s demands - acts of resumption made both York and the peerage lose out materially. (They also didn’t like that York was gaining popularity e.g., spokesman for the commonweal as by the call of Cade’s Rebellion).
What was the message of Yorks first bill and when was it written?
Written in September 1450, Yorks first bill professes his loyalty to King Henry VI and challenges those who speak badly about York to state their accusations before the King.
What was the message of Yorks second bill and when was it written?
Written in October 1450, Yorks second bill repeats the reforms demanded by the commonweal and echoes the proclamations of Cade’s Rebellion (act of resumption).
What was the message of Yorks third bill ?
Demanded reform and condemned the defeat in France.
What was King Henry VI’s response to York’s 3 bills?
Promised a council to consider the issues - York wanted to lead the council (only a member of).
November 1450
- Parliament meets at Westminster led by Sir William Oldhall (one of York’s leading councillors).
- Parliamentary petition seeks to remove 31 named individuals from the King’s Court - top of the list is Duke of Somerset
- Somerset imprisoned in Tower of London (for own safety)
- Parliament enacted an Act of Resumption to try and restore royal finances
- The barons/ peerage unhappy with York’s demands - acts of resumption made both York and the peerage lose out materially. (They also didn’t like that York was gaining popularity e.g., spokesman for the commonweal as by the call of Cade’s Rebellion).
May 1451
Thomas Yonge (York’s personal lawyer) proposed in Parliament that York should be formally recognised as King Henry VI’s heir. King and Lords reject this proposal and Yonge is imprisoned in Tower of London.
1452
February - York assembles his affinity and marches to Dartford to force the removal of Somerset. His only supporters who were barons were the Earl of Devon and Lord Cobham. The royal army that opposed York and his affinity was 3x larger than York’s army.
March - York presents articles (charges) against the Duke of Somerset but these are dismissed by the King. He also swears allegiance to the King and swears to never raise arms against the King or any of his subjects again.
March 1453
- Parliament condemns/denounced Jack Cade as a traitor.
- Sir William Oldhall attained for treason. (hasn’t done anything worthy of treason more of attack at York)
- Between 1452 and 1453 Somerset ran a relatively effective government (order restored in Kent, English army sent to Gascony etc)
1453
July - Gascony is lost to France
August - King Henry VI goes into catatonic stupor after loss of Gascony and Shrewsbury’s death.
October - Prince Edward is born
November - Somerset imprisoned in Tower.
March 1454
Margaret of Anjou petitions to be Protector of England (wants to protect the interests of her son) but is opposed by the peers who don’t want her cause she is a French woman. York was made Protector as he has royal lineage (Mortimer line) and therefore was considered the natural candidate. York formally recognised Prince Edward as heir to the throne.
How did York act during his First Protectorate?
- Cuts expenditure of Royal Household
- Tried to bring justice to areas which had been disturbed due to rivalries (e.g., imprisoned Duke of Exeter)
- Tried to create fairly run government but reliance on Salisbury and Warwick led to him appearing biased and advantageous to the pair
- Due to this reliance York was forced to favour the Nevilles in the Percy Neville dispute and this alienated the other lords who viewed York as partisan (biased).
1454
March - Margaret of Anjou petitions to be Protector of England (wants to protect the interests of her son) but is opposed by the peers who don’t want her cause she is a French woman. York was made Protector as he has royal lineage (Mortimer line) and therefore was considered the natural candidate. York formally recognised Prince Edward as heir to the throne.
July - York granted as Captain of Calais.
Autumn - York fails to gain support from the Nobles to put Somerset on trial (who has been imprisoned for a year)
December 25th - King Henry VI comes out of his catatonic stupor.
January 1455
Somerset released from Tower of London. Must stay 20 miles away from the King.
