Why were Yorkists able to return to dominance? (1460)

Question 1

What are the main reasons for the Yorkist return to dominance in 1460?

Answer 1

Warwick’s Actions;
Richard of York’s Actions;
Failures of Henry VI’s Government

Question 2

Warwick’s Action

Answer 2

• Calais: kept loyalty of garrison despite going unpaid since 1456,
  garrison fired on Somerset in 1459 despite attainder,
  gained support of Stapler’s by providing armed escorts, earning a £18,000 loan,
  his forces defeated Somerset’s at Newnham Bridge in Apr 1460,
  arranged a 3-month truce with Phillip of Burgundy in Nov 1459,
  gained support of papal legate Francesco Coppini,
  pirated French, Castilian and Genoese shipping for resources and morale,
  attacked Somerset’s wage ship on 16th Mar 1460
• England: convinced Lord Audley’s son to defect from King,
  invaded Yorkist-favouring SE England on 26 Jun 1460,
  persuaded Lord Grey to defect at Northampton on 10 July 1460

CA: not present at Newnham Bridge, Dynham led raid on Sandwich on 15 Jan 1460, Fauconberg + March also key at Northampton

Question 3

Richard of York’s Actions

Answer 3

• Actions in Ireland: presence forces Lanc forces to spread thinly to cover NW and Wales,
  tightened control in Ireland through parliament at Drogheda and Ear of Kildare,
  recruited small military force for invasion,
  planned marriage of York’s son and James II’s daughter
• Act of Accord Oct 1460: cements Yorkist succession an effective protectorate,
  brought York and his sons more power/wealth

CA: Irish force was small, marriage never went through, Warwick had already taken control of government by the time York returned, York’s claim to the throne was divisive

Question 4

Failures of Henry VI’s Government

Answer 4

• Military failures: Sir Baldwin Fulford (Sheriff of Devon) failed to threaten Yorkist fleet in Feb 1460,
  Henry Holland (Exeter) failed to threaten Warwick with a 3500 man fleet for 3 years from Mar 1460->,
  couldn’t prevent raid on Sandwich on 15 Jan 1460
• Financial failures: appeal for loans in Mar 1460 to finance defences failed,
  Wiltshire’s (treasurer) unpopular tax raising methods targeted by Yorkist propaganda,
  Lanc commercial policies alienated merchants in London as trade declined in the recession and the perceived favouritism for foreign merchants was resented
• Political failures: alienated Venetians by commandeering their ships for defence,
  regional polarisation by moving court to Coventry made London and SE feel ignored so favoured Yorkists when they invaded,
  failure to deal with Cade’s 15 complaints since 1450 further inspired Lanc doubt in the SE

CA: Lanc government successfully made Genoan vessels available for defence