unit 2 - the outbreak of war and the uneasy peace Flashcards
what caused the first battle of st. albans
richard duke of york fled to the north, while margaret persuaded henry to release somerset from the tower, richard raised an army with the nevilles in the north
may 1450
Suffolk was executed
27 march 1454 - christmas day 1454
yorks protectorate
22nd may 1455
first battle of st albans
why did york raise an army?
he feared somerset might try to seek revenge for his imprisonment so he decides to strike first
timeline of the first battle of st albans
york aims to remove somerset york has 3000, somerset has 2000 but has henry with him warwick makes the first move- destroying the barricades and attacks, taken by surprise so worked york captures henry captures somerset and killed him against protocol no way back now york is made protector but henry is not mad
why did henrys failures lead to war?
he did not stop york and somerset quarreling
how did public opinion influence the outbreak of war?
cades rebellion showed that the commons were politically aware people wanted a new government people believed york would provide this by representing the common people, gave york little choice?
how did emnity between york and somerset influence the outbreak of fighting
york suggesting he was against somerset who corrupted the king soon after there were calls for somerset to be charged with treason york feared somerset would want the throne which put his position in jeoprody coup at dartford was embarrassing
how did henrys illness influence fighting?
the nobility continued to feud whilst henry was ill, somerset was not able to control this. the great council of nobles was set off including york. however york had somerset arrested and put in the power and allowed york to gain power
how did feuds between nobility influence fighting?
the absence of effective kingship meant that nobles quarells turned into localised fighting nevilles feuding with somerset and percies cromwell and exeter also feuded - both side with opposing sides
how did henrys recovery influence fighting
somerset was released york was no longer protectorate led to mutual fear of what the other would do somerset called the great council but did not invite york - first step of treason only option was force
how did the actions of margaret of anjou influence fighting
the birth of her son and her husbands mental illness sent her into action there was uncertainty and she wanted to ensure that her son inherited the throne when a regency was discussed, she claimed it to prevent york. she surpassed the boundaries of a medieval queen so this was not allowed a queen has been regent before there was little backing for her claim and she was rejected in favour of york she accepted this, but when he recovered began to reassert herself and encouraged henry to call a great council to convict york and the nevilles - did not attend and began to raise arms
key features of the first battle of st albans
york was summoned to the great council, did not go as he feared it was a trap so began to raise an army negotiations failed york assured that he was loyalty to the crown royalist forces encounter york army royal army numbered 3000:2000 warwick cut through gardens and destroyed royal barricades and caught the royal army off guard short, about 2 hours
reasons for yorkist victory at st albans - yorkist strengths
yorks army outnumbered forces decision to attack quickly took enemy by surprise had many archers york had control over the king by the end york had parliament pardon the yorkist and blame somerset placed a crown on henrys head on ceremony after battle
reasons for yorkist victory - lancastrian weaknesses
duke of buckingham decided against open battle - kings banners not visible - not a deterrent royal forces scattered defences were weak and unprepared for the swift attack had few archers, henry wounded by arrow
what were the consequences of the first battle of st albans?
duke of somerset and henry percy killed york, salisbury and warwick had possession of the king - and swore allegiance york had won the battle but didnt have noble support - had to negotiate to become main advisor henry became ill again due to stress - protector for a second time neville became captain of calais
what was the significance of the first battle of st albans
impact on henry - lapsed into another bout of madness development of vendettas - sons of nobles were intent on avenging the deaths of their fathers impact on margaret - margaret was intent on destroying york as he was a threat to her son - moved to coventry impact on york - change of political position, york made protector again - gave yorkists important positions
what were the strengths of yorks second protectorate?
- made constable of england again, as well as protector - showed his authority by leading the ceremony where he placed a crown on henrys head - he was able to pardon yorkists and place blame on somerset
what were the weaknesses of yorks second protectorate?
support was limited, reluctance seen to accept protectorate yorks supporters were in the minority henry wasnt as sick so was limited in his actions both york and warwick felt threatened enough to bring armed forces to parliamentary meetings faced opposition from the house of lords and margaret of anjou
why was york dismissed as protector on 25th February 1456?
york had tried to limit the size of and extend control over the royal household, which was opposed by margaret of anjou and HofL which resulted in yorks dismissal. he was compensated
what was the uneasy peace?
a period of superficial peace, between yorkists and lancastrians. beneath the surface, tensions continued as seen in the armed retainers each one at their presence. Many nobles did not want more fighting
What was loveday?
it was a propoganda stunt, yorkists and lancastrians paraded hand in hand to demonstrate their reconciliation. Both sides had armed retainers
what was the significance of loveday?
continued fear and suspicion that dominated minds highlighted the essentially private and personal nature of the dispute explicitly recognized the existence of two rival armed camps appeared to attribute blame to york
