unit 1 - the origins of conflict Flashcards
What were the strengths of Henry VI?
founded eton college and Kings college, cambridge, interest in education wanted to ensure peace merciful could deploy resources of crown to ensure loyalty and cooperation (patronage)
what were the weaknesses of Henry VI’s reign?
failed to play an effective role in government - left others rule i.e. Suffolk Over-reliant on advisors Had favourites Reluctant to punish - too merciful? Failed to manage nobility Excessive use of patronage - left crown in debt
What were the strengths of Henrys reign 1421 - 1455?
- brought up educated in good governance - treaty of tours 1444
what were the features of henrys reign that caused instability?
Henry never visited france again - failed to lead his men? costly war with france heavily influenced by nobles who he failed to manage margaret of anjou not popular in england gave up maine falied to heal the rift between Gloucester and Somerset loss of normandy - 1450 loss of gascony -1451 war with france restarts - 1449 royal debt - £370,000 - virtually bankrupt cades rebellion - 1450 1453 - henry suffers mental breakdown 1455 - war of the roses begins
what was the role of the nobility?
be the kings leading advisers deal with serious outbreak of disorder he his leading commanders during war time
what was the role of the nobility in the build up to the war of the roses?
tensions between factions accusations of corruption and bad advice over-dependency led to an indebted crown varying degrees of loyalty resentment due to favouritism nobles obsessed with land and status henry failed to manage over mighty nobles
who did richard neville dispute? and why?
the percies, beachamp of warwick inheritance, north, battle of hexworth
who did Courtenay dispute and why?
South west Lord Bonville earl of devon launched a private campaign across somerset, closed due to Yorks intervention
What was the problem with gloucester and Beaufort (Somerset), De la pole (Suffolk)
Gloucester blamed Somerset for him being set aside during the minority G jealous of Somersets wealth Somerset challenged G position in Kings council Tension over war with france - B- peace G- war Suffolk behind Hs wife scandal G criticised Henry over maine - plotting to take throne - Suffolk, arrested, death Left Richard Duke of York as closest heir
Areas of tension for York and Somerset:
York expected to be chief advisor as closest relative - resentment focused on kings chosen advisors - S + S excluded York Margaret saw York as a threat to her position Somerset replaced York as military commander in france, sidelined to Ireland York suspected Somerset had ambitions for the crown Somerset had his loans promptly Somerset blamed for loss of normandy
how does Pollard describe Henry as a king?
'’arguably the worst, who inherited two kingdoms and lost both’’
what land did Henry lose?
Fougheres, Rouen, Caen, Normandy, Gascony, Bordeux
who wanted to make peace with france?
henry vi, suffolk, somerset
who wanted to continue war with france?
gloucester, richard, duke of york
should henry take the blame for the loss of normandy?
his decision to make Somerset leader was disastrous Major error hernys decision to give up maine in the treaty of tours was a blunder to their campaign henry failed to use the period of peace to address military weakness poorly led and underfunded, limited direction and planning
who else can be blamed for the loss of normandy?
Somerset was an incompetent leader and failed to react, surrendered Caen and was blamed for loss of normandy by york suffolk was the leader of govt so has to take some responsibility
what was the impact of the loss of normandy in england
trade declined, especially cloth increasing french attacks raised fear amongst ordinary people worsened baronial tensions affected income of noble famillies lost loyalty to henry vi soldiers returned to no jobs added to crowns debt led to henrys mental breakdown and yorks mental breakdown
what was cades rebellion?
a rising that began in kent, led by a man called Jack Cade/ John Mortimer. the army grew and involved 46000; including gentry, a knight and a mayor
why did cade use the name mortimer
to suggest a link to richard, duke of york who descended from the mortimer line, he was the solution to lead the political reform no evidence of his involvement
what caused cades rebellion
- lost french territories - homeless refugees - french ships attacked coastal towns - trade with france stopped - high levels of taxation suggested corruption and mismanagement - battles were not being won!
give a brief timeline of cades rebellion
2nd may - suffolk murdered mid may - rebels gather 11th june - arrive at blackheath 25th june- henry flees 1st july - cade enters london 3rd july - saye executed 5th july - londoners turn - cade flees 12th july - cade flees
what was on cades list of complaints
taxes unfairly levied taxes increased as henry used excessive patronage crown debt led to non payment of sums justice was not impartially administered lords were favourites at courts
how did fear of revenge cause cades rebellion
kentish folk feared they would be blamed for the death of suffolk since he was found on a kentish beach lord saye and sheriff of kent threatened to take revenge
how did corrupt advisors cause cades rebellion
many rebels demanded fairer government corrupt officials would punish ordinary people rebels demanded an end to unjust taxation wanted evil advisors dealt with as they blamed them for the kings debt
