Why did Suffolk fall from power in 1450?

Question 1

What was Suffolk dominating?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 1

The unpopular court

Question 2

What was Suffolk to Henry VI?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 2

He was Henry’s favourite and right hand man. This made him very influential over him and allowed him to gain more power, favours and influence

Question 3

Who was Suffolk closely associated with?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 3

Cardinal Beaufort - previously dominant figure in early 1430s and 1440s

Question 4

What did Suffolk do to those he opposed in court?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 4

He purged them from court even though he was not serving in an official ministerial office - had no authority to do so

Question 5

What did Suffolk do to Henry VI in order to maximize his gain?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 5

He isolated the King from any alternative sources of council or advice

Question 6

Why did Suffolk anger other council members?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 6

He had full control over the King’s choices and decisions so others were unable to give their opinions

Question 7

CA: What other members of the council were hated?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 7

Lord Saye, Edmund Beaufort

Question 8

CA: Why is it not accurate to only blame Suffolk for his unpopularity within the court?

Suffolk’s unpopular control of Court

Answer 8

As Henry VI’s involvement is too easily overlooked and his power and influence in his own court could’ve prevented his corruption

Question 9

Who was blamed for the loss of France?

England’s position in France

Answer 9

William de la Pole

Question 10

Who had the war with France benefitted?

England’s position in France

Answer 10

• The nobility: land and territory
• Lower class: entertainment, provided a source of unity
• Soldiers: Formed a colonial class who lived in Normandy

Question 11

What had victories over France previously brought to England?

England’s position in France

Answer 11

Both national pride and benefit for the aristocracy

Question 12

What did the loss of France cause?

England’s position in France

Answer 12

Anger and humiliation

Question 13

Why did some believe Suffolk had sabotaged the war efforts and purposely lost territory?

England’s position in France

Answer 13

• He had been openly pro-peace with France (since 1433)
• He surrendered Maine in 1448 as a part of the marriage agreement for the King

Question 14

Why was Suffolk also hated (marriage)?

England’s position in France

Answer 14

He had negotiated the marriage between the King and Margaret of Anjou - A FRENCH woman

Question 15

What attack was Suffolk to blame for and what did it lead to?

England’s position in France

Answer 15

The attack of Fougeres which ultimately lead to the French victory of Normandy

Question 16

What did Suffolk’s lack of funding for the Normandy defenses cause?

England’s position in France

Answer 16

It meant the troops became run down and weak, causing them to surrender to the French as a victory would have been impossible

Question 17

CA: Whose input in Suffolk’s actions was overlooked?

England’s position in France

Answer 17

Henry VI

Question 18

CA: Where was Suffolk durning the loss of Normandy?

England’s position in France

Answer 18

England - Somerset was the one in France at the time

Question 19

What sort of a leader was Henry VI?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 19

Poor, weak and uninterested

Question 20

What did Suffolk fail to be?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 20

A suitable substitute for Henry VI

Question 21

What did some people argue regarding the monarchy?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 21

That there was not a King - Henry was not interested in kingship or anything that came with the role

Question 22

Why is it believed that Suffolk’s fall was inevitable?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 22

He had taken the impossible task of standing in for the King. His private interests as a noble fundamentally contradicted that of what was needed of him

Question 23

What does a King have to be that Suffolk was not?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 23

Impartial

Question 24

What land was Suffolk holding?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 24

The Duchy of Lancaster in East Anglia

Question 25

CA: This argument is based on the McFarlane argument, what is that?

Failiures to substitute the King

Answer 25

The idea that the King can never be substituted, no matter how bad he is

Question 26

What was Suffolk seen to be for the nobility?

Answer 26

A Sacrifice or a scapegoat

Question 27

Why did the nobility need someone to ‘sacrifice’?

Answer 27

To appease the masses

Question 28

When and where was Adam Moleyns murdered?

Answer 28

January 1450 by a Portsmouth mob

Question 29

What happened to Suffolk when he was scapegoated?

Answer 29

Henry VI sent him into exile for 5 years, however he was killed by a mob from Kent on his voyage to exile

Question 30

What was the of the ship that murdered Suffolk?

Answer 30

Nicholas of the Tower

Question 31

What did the nobility need to do in order to blame Suffolk?

Answer 31

Re-write history

Question 32

Who was blaming Suffolk for failures in England in parliament of November 1449

Answer 32

Sir John Popham, a Yorkist speaker

Question 33

CA: Who else could have been sacrificed?

Answer 33

Any of those who were later targeted by the rebels