The Origins of Conflict (1455-1459)

Question 1

1456

Answer 1

Parliamentary Session focuses on York’s reform programme - Acts of Resumption.
February - The end of York’s 2nd Protectorate - continues to act as Chief Minister for several months.
September/October - The Great Council at Coventry removed Yorkist lords from positions of power within government and Margaret of Anjou installed her supporters such as Lawrence Booth and the Bishop of Winchester as keepers of the Privy Seal and the Great Seal.

Question 2

What would the Acts of Resumption do?

Answer 2

• Reclaim the lands of some Nobles - Earl of Richmond and Pembroke.
• Reclaim endowments granted to Eton and King’s College

Question 3

1457

Answer 3

Council of the Prince of Wales (Edward) is established. Margaret of Anjou gains control of Duchy of Lancaster - includes lands such as the earldom of Chester. Great Council at Coventry - Margaret stipulates /demands special honours due to the king must also be due to the queen. Margaret makes a triumphal entry to Coventry to celebrate a religious feast (in place of the King).

Question 4

August 1457

Answer 4

Sandwich (port in Kent - IMPORTANT) raided by the French. Warwick is sent sums of money from the government for the garrison (troops).

Question 5

25th March 1458

Answer 5

‘Loveday’ at St Pauls Cathedral (First day of medieval new year). Ritual reconciliation - those who were sons of victims of St Albans met with those responsible for killing their fathers (York, Salisbury, Warwick). Chancellor Waynflete and moderates such as Duke of Buckingham were most likely behind this ‘Loveday’. York, Salisbury and Warwick pay reparations to the victims children. Egremont (Percy) makes a bond to have 10 years of peace with Salisbury. Lancastrian heirs from St Albans were 2000 men - Yorkist heirs 1500.

Question 6

June 1459

Answer 6

Great Council meet at Coventry - York, Salisbury, Warwick and the Bourchiers are deliberately excluded. Plan to condemn the Yorkists for treason established - royal court gathers strength at Coventry.

Question 7

August - September 1459

Answer 7

Yorkist Lords need to converge (meet) - plan to meet at Worcester in September. York at Ludlow, Salisbury at Middleham and Warwick at Calais. Lancastrians aim to keep them divided.

Question 8

23rd September 1459

Answer 8

Battle of Blore Heath - Lord Audley murdered

Question 9

5th October 1459

Answer 9

Duke of Somerset (Henry Beaufort) appointed as Captain of Calais (replacing Warwick) - however role is held forcibly by Warwick.

Question 10

12th/13th October 1459

Answer 10

• Ludford Bridge (Battle thats not a battle - more of a stand off).
• York’s town of Ludlow is pillaged (violently robbed)
• York and his 2nd son Rutland flee to Ireland
• Warwick, Salisbury and Edward, Earl of March flee to Calais

Question 11

20th November 1459

Answer 11

• ‘Parliament of Devils’ in Coventry.
• Yorkists are proscribed (condemned) and are found guilty of treason by attainder - their lands were forfeited and their heirs cannot inherit.