Weakness of Henry VI Flashcards

1
Q

Henry’s personality

A
  • He was crowned King of England in 1429 (9 months) and King of France in 1431
  • He declared his minority at an end in 1437 at the age of 16 (youngest to ever do so)
  • Henry was a peace-loving man and deeply religious
  • He was excessively generous
  • He was easily persuaded to make unwise decisions
  • He was an undermighty king in a court of overmighty subjects
  • Henry fled during Cade’s revolt causing discontent in London
  • Henry’s weakness created factions in court
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2
Q

Financial Stability

A
  • In 1450 the Gov went bankrupt and there was a trade depression reducing the Govs money
  • The crown’s annual income dropped from £120,000 (during Henry V) to £33,000 by 1450 (during Henry VI)
  • The crown was in a debt of £372,000
  • This was due to Henry VI being excessively generous to his favourites
  • The crown owed York £38,000 by 1450 (£17 million today)
  • Somerset was regularly reimbursed, following a poor military campaign in France, Somerset was paid £25,000 by the crown whilst York’s debt remained unpaid
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3
Q

The Duke of Somerset in France

A
  • Henry clearly favoured Somerset (Edmund Beaufort)
  • York is Lieutenant of France and had been successful in running France (1440-45)
  • However Somerset and other nobles fear York is gaining too much power and tell Henry to call him back
  • Somerset is made LoFrance in 1447 + Captain of Calais (1451)
  • Somerset allows Normandy to be overrun by the French in under a year
  • York previously held these titles
  • York is sent (exiled) to Ireland and suffers due to a lack of finances
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4
Q

Foreign policy

A
  • The collapse of Northern France and the loss of Normandy were due to Henry
  • The truce of Tours (22 May 1444) was kept a secret from York
  • Henry VI marries Margaret, the niece of Charles VII
  • Henry secretly surrenders Anjou and Maine to the French King which was against the policy his noblemen made
  • Agreed to a 5-year ceasefire
  • York had been successful in France (1440-45)
  • Created a pro-war and anti-war faction due to weakness in court
  • A bad Foreign policy reflects badly on the King
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5
Q

Henry’s insanity

A
  • August 1453 - Henry is in a catatonic state for the next 15 months
  • Between August 1453 to Dec1454 the monarchy was left weak and unstable
  • The collapse of royal authority allowed the development of private feuds
  • In October 1453, Prince Edward was born
  • However, Henry is unable to recognise him thus accused of being Somerset’s child
  • York was appointed protector of the realm and commissioned Somerset to the tower (March 1454)
  • Henry partially recovered in Dec 1454 and reversed York’s changes
  • Henry’s insanity directly led to the 1st Battle of St. Albans
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6
Q

Henrys 1st madness

A

August 1453 to Dec 1454

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7
Q

Henrys 2nd madness

A

March 1455 to February 1456

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