Why did York's attempts to dominate government fail? (1450-53)

Question 1

Main reasons for York’s failure to dominate government

Answer 1

Household/Margaret’s Support for Somerset;
Richard of York’s Actions;
Success of Somerset’s Regime 1451-53

Question 2

Household/Margaret’s Support for Somerset

Answer 2

• Unpopular household needed protection: corrupt members wanted protection from York’s reforms,
  felt threatened by mobs e.g. Cade’s Rebellion,
  Somerset shielded them from resumptions (186 exemptions)
• Margaret was suspicious of York: saw York as a threat to the dynasty and Somerset as a defender,
  payed Somerset 100 marks every year from Nov 1451 onwards

CA: York is still heir presumptive, so when Henry goes mad in 1453 he bypasses the household anyway

Question 3

Richard of York’s Actions

Answer 3

• Questionable methods created suspicion in nobility: talked for “communitas” and “commonweal” sounding like a King/rebels,
  marches of 1450 + 1452 was near treasonous,
  used propaganda to justify
• Nobility were unimpressed and so lacked their support: quarrel with Somerset seen as purely personal,
  only backed by Devon + Norfolk in 1450 and Devon + Cobham in 1452

CA: regardless of York’s actions, was Somerset too strongly backed?

Question 4

Success of Somerset’s Regime 1451-53

Answer 4

• Government: reasserted personal monarchy and allowed more access to Henry,
  blocked May 1451 attempt to acknowledge York as heir presumptive,
  discretely reformed some finances,
  Reading Parliament of March 1453 shows growing support as large taxation grant and Oldhall’s attainder are passed
• Military: Limited expedition to Gascony in 1451,
  scheme to show Henry VI Calais in 1452,
  demonstration of strength at Dartford in March 1452,
  successful 2nd expedition to Gascony in Autumn 1452,
  Talbot recaptures Bordeaux in 1452
• Justice: Thomas Daniel & John Trevelyan trialed in 1450,
  Somerset opposed Yorkist attempt to posthumously attaint Suffolk,
  dealt with rebels by being harsh to leaders and pardoning lower-levels,
  3 Judicial tours (Kent, Jan 1451 - punish for Cade’s; Wales, Aut 1452 - punish for Dartford; Coventry, Sept 1452 - deal with Courtenay-Bonville feud)

CA: still in debt, 1451 Gascony expedition unsuccessful, 1452 Calais scheme never happened, all of Gascony work undone at Castillon (17 Jul 1453), Daniel + Trevelyan acquitted and face no punishment