Why was there a crisis of government? (1450)

Question 1

What are the main reasons for a crisis in government in 1450?

Answer 1

Somerset’s Unpopularity and Normandy;
Richard of York’s Ambition;
Failures of Henry VI’s Government

Question 2

What happened during the government crises in 1450?

Answer 2

Oct 1449 - Fall of Rouen
28 Jan 1450 - Arrest of Suffolk
15 Apr 1450 - Loss at Formigny
2 May 1450 - Murder of Suffolk
May-July 1450 - Cade’s Rebellion
1 Aug 1450 - Somerset returns and takes over King’s household
7 Sept 1450 - York lands on Anglesey at Beaumaris
Sept-Nov 1450 - York marches on London and recruits in Wales and East Anglia
Nov 1450 - York brings 3000 men to London to pressure government
Nov 1450 - Commons petition for removal of Somerset
1 Dec 1450 - Somerset nearly dies in mob attack

Question 3

Somerset’s Unpopularity and Normandy

Answer 3

• Hated by soldiers and commons: seen as cowardly in losses of Rouen (Oct 1449), Caen (12 Jun 1450) and Cherbourg (12 Aug 1450), connected to hated King’s household and Suffolk
• Provoked York and Yorkists: unity of Suffolk + Somerset threatened York so he debatably had to attack,
  presented himself as problem-solver,
  isolated the King from York

CA: Rebellions in the Midlands aren’t affected by France. Not main reason?

Question 4

Richard of York’s Ambition

Answer 4

• Instigated violence: Oldhall in Ipswich (Mar 1450), potential involvement in Cade’s Rebellion (May-Jul 1450),
  marched on King in Sept 1450 demanding right to advise Henry VI,
  brought 3000 men to London in Nov 1450
• Rude and reckless methods: returned from Ireland on 7 Sept 1450 without King’s permission,
  spoke on behalf of “communitas” and “commonweal” sounds like a tyrant (not respected by Lords)

CA: York saved Somerset’s life from angry mob in Dec 1450, and York and Somerset share land in Essex in 1447 suggests at least professional relations exist

Question 5

Failures of Henry VI’s Government

Answer 5

• Corruption still abundant: Cade’s Rebels target William Crowmer & Lord Saye,
  still corrupt Thomas Daniel & John Trevelyan,
  186 exceptions to Act of Resumption,
  Suffolk’s corrupt control of Duchy of Lancaster
• Division of Nobility: end of war in Normandy removes need for unity,
  King’s inability to rule independently causes power struggle between York & Somerset,
  King exposed as incompetent and dependent
• Economic Failures: debt of £372,000 growing by £20,000 yearly,
  186 exemptions to Resumption for King’s favourites doesn’t solve

CA: King’s idleness shows that it is not Henry’s government failures, but Suffolk/Somerset’s failures. Does the blame fall on Henry?