war of the roses timeline

Treaty of Tours

1444, The agreements included:

* A truce to last for just 21 months
* The marriage of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou
* The marriage came with the unwritten assumption that the English would surrender the French providence of Maine as part of the agreement.

Marriage of Margaret of Anjou and Henry VI

General English populace were not keen on Margaret as she was French and they had to give up Anjou and Maine

The English were expected to pay for the marriage and Margaret was a “strong” political woman and thus they could not stand her.

End of Duke of York’s Lieutenancy in France

1445,

Enraged as he had been replaced by Somerset even after his years of experience. 

Saw emerging tensions between these two figures

York appointed Lieutenant of Ireland

1447,

Seen as a demotion, it is thought York was unhappy with this as he only actually went to Ireland two years later in 1449

Treaty of Lavardin

1448,

Formal surrender of French lands Maine and Anjou back to the French 

French invasion of Normandy

1449,

Reflected badly on the english as the French took english lands in Normandy 

* Meant nearly all of the lands gained by Henry V had been lost by this point 

Keeper of the Privvy seal is killed

1450,

Adam Moleyns is killed by soldiers after he tried to cut their wages 

Exile and murder of the Duke of Suffolk

1450,

William De la Pole was captured and killed as he had sold the English lands to france. 

Cade’s Rebellion

1450,

The beginnings of the Duke of York's confidence to take the throne, unsure if he was the fine to this rebellion or not. We do not know who Cade was but he was an effective leader. Rallied people by producing a list of demands against ‘evil councillors’ 

Rebels marched on London outside the city of Blackheath. Henry sent a delegation led by Archbishop Stafford and Cardinal Kemp to try and calm the situation but this was rejected by Cade.

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THE REBELLION ACTUALLY STARTS 

The king marched against the rebels on 13th June, only to find the camp deserted.

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The rebels ambushed a group of kings men, sir humphrey, stafford and william stafford.

The king fled to Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, while most of his council took refuge in the tower of London for their own safety. 

Cade’s supporters return to Blackheath on when they control the capital and execute Lord Saye

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Henry created a commission for complaints by the cade rebellion, including the anger with the situation in france 46,000 strong

The  violence in the capital infuriated the Londeners who attacked and defended the rebels at the London Bridge 

Defeated Somerset returns from France

York replaced for Lieutenant of France and then Somerset loses, annoys York 

York returns to England

1450,

Returning amongst the chaos and rebellions increased fears regarding the Duke of York’s aspirations - some felt this was opportunistic 

Standoff at Dartford

1452,

An attempted coup, York and the people of Shrewsbury demanding the Duke of SOmerset be fired. 

York was tricked by the Lancastrians and made to swear an oath of allegiance to the King.

Henry VI illness begins

1453,

Gave York, and other advisors, more power in court as this debilitated the central figure 

Prince Edward is born

1453,

Beginnings of Margaret of Anjou as a political threat as her aim became to get her son on the throne. Beginnings of York VS Margaret as he threatened the position of her son 

York assumes ‘Lord Protector’ (first protectorate)

1454,

He at this point still swore loyalty to Prince Edward and said he would rule until Edward was old enough or until Henry VI recovered. 

He did use this to make himself Captain of Calais.

During this time he made efforts to improve the economy and stop lawlessness - which was successful during his months as protector

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Somerset imprisoned in the tower of London

1454,

York used his protectorate to weaken his enemies, locking Somerset in the Tower. However this only increased tensions between the two as the King recovered soon after and released Somerset. 

York’s first protectorate ends

1455,

York was very scared after his protectorate ended as he had made a lot of questionable decisions that had alienated many important figures around him - specifically the Duke of Somerset. 

He felt he needed to hold onto power to escape retribution for these actions - which may have been what caused him to overtly rebel soon after. 

First battle of St Albans

1455,

Sparked by Henry VI calling a great council of Lancastrian lords, most of whom had vendettas against York, in Leicester - the heart of Lancastrian lands. This scared York as he thought they would attaint him so he and Warwick marched to meet them before the meeting - resulting in the battle.

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Yorkists win (they had a much larger force) and take control of the King as a political pawn, who had been wounded during the battle. The lancastrians had not been properly prepared as previous rebellions had not been effective or they were simply standoffs (e.g Dartford, 1452) rather than battles.  \n

Considered the first battle of the wars of the roses. \n

KEY DEATHS: The death of somerset, northumberland and clifford

* These deaths led to the revenge party, made up of the sons of these killed at Albans 

Margaret of Anjou moves parliament to coventry

1455,

The destruction of the male lancastrian faction at Albans left the Lancastrian cause to Margaret. SHe created her own council in Coventry to try and rally the support of Lancastrian lords for her son. This area was central for Lanc nobility. 

She tried to increase support by creating and distributing ‘swan livery badges’ in support of Prince Edward.

York’s second protectorate begins

1455,

After taking control of the King, Yorkists regained protectorate in London - ruling the country 

Warwick was made Captain of Calais and the Lancastrians were blamed for the battle at St Albans - excusing Yorkist lords

York’s second protectorate ends

1456,

This time his assumption seemed wrong and so he failed to raise support from the nobility to pass reforms.

Prince Edward’s council established

1457,

* Lawrence booth (the Queen’s chancellor)
* William Waynflete
* Humphrey Stafford
* John Viscount Beaumont 
* James, Earl of Wiltshire
* The Earl of Shrewsbury 

Loveday Attempt

1458,

Neutral lords (possibly backed by the king) organised a ‘Loveday’ to prevent the slide towards  Civil War. 

* it blamed the Yorkists for St Albans who were told to pay compensation to the families of those killed. 
* York, Salisbury and Warwick and Somerset Exeter and Percy all attended with large private armies (retinues).
* Tension was so high that the city of London raised 5,000 men to keep the peace. 

Battle of Blore Heath

1459,

Tensions were rising between Yorkists and Lancastrians and each side began to build up armies. 

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As the Earl of Salisbury was marching his army to meet with the Duke of York, he was intercepted and attacked by the Lancastrian Lord Audley to prevent the Yorksists forming a sizable army. 

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However, Yorkist Salisbury won and defeated Lord Audley and went on to meet the Duke of York. 

KEY DEATH; Lord Audley 

Battle of Ludford Bridge

1459,

Massive Lancastrian win 

Yorkist force of Salisbury, Warwick and York with the Calais Garrison as Warwick was the Captain of Calais. 

Yorkists had denied the pardon offered by the King as this would not have included Salisbury as he had killed Lord Audley at Blore Heath. 

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Yorkists lost, despite being well defended as the Calais Garrison changed sides because they could not fight against the King, Andrew Trollope led the Garrison against Yorkists. Because of this, Yorkist lords fled during the night York to Ireland and Salisbury and Warwick to Calais. 

Parliament of Devils

1459,

Parliament held in coventry, led by Margaret of Anjou with the main aim of attainting the Yorkist lords after the battle of Ludford Bridge

Bill of Attainder - removed lands, titles and condemned Yorkists.

Yorkist Manifesto

1460,


1. Improve crown finance
2. Ensure just practise of laws 
3. Stop overtaxation of the commons 
4. Sad about losing french lands  – Henry V was too great in Agincourt for this

Overall, blamed ‘evil councillors around the King for these issues, overtly remaining loyal to Henry VI

Aimed to raise support amongst the commons 

Battle of Northampton

1460,

A response to the attainder of Yorkist lords during the Parliament of Devils saw a Yorkist victory. 

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Henry VI heard of the planned attack so moved his council from Coventry to Northampton where the Lancastrians were able to create a defensive position. Both sides had large forces however Lancastrians lost because of the  betrayal of Lord Grey Ruthin who broke the defensive position for the yorkists and because of the poor weather that disabled the Lancastrian artillery. 

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KEY DEATHS: Buckingham, Egremont, beaumont and shrewsbury

Act of Accord

1460

Agreement following the Yorkists win at Northampton 


1. Henry Vi was to remain on the throne
2. York was to govern as Protectorate
3. York was named Henry’s heir and therefore York’s children were going to take the throne after Henry and not Henry’s children.

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Queen Margaret did not support this as it disinherited Prince Edward, which was her only goal in English politics

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Warwick is also seen to distance himself from York after this, suggesting he did not want York on the throne 

Battle of Wakefield

1460,

Margaret of Anjou responded to the Act of Accord by raising an army in the North to challenge the Lancastrians 

York moved North with a small army and hid in Sandal Castle as other lords moved to meet him with their armies (e.g Edward Earl of March). However York left the castle too early and was massively defeated by the Lancastrians led by Queen Margaret and the sons of those killed at St Albans (revenge factor)

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KEY DEATHS; Duke of York, Earl of Rutland (York’s eldest son), Salisbury

Battle of Mortimer’s Cross

1461,

Edward’s first decisive battle after the death of the Duke of York. 

He inspired his men with a speech about PARHELIA: the three suns reflected on the water showing that Edward was backed by Jesus 

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Showed his Kingly ability and strength

Edward executes Owen Tudor and the rest of the prisoners, this is huge because this is the step-father of the King and famous noble

Second Battle of St Albans

1461,

After the success at Wakefield, the Lancastrian army began to march to London - Warwick set up defences to meet them and stop the Lancastrian movement south, which worked originally however Margaret outmanoeuvred them and defeated the Yorkists. Warwick fled with his men. 

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However they forgot Henry VI and so he was reclaimed by Margaret.

Two Yorkist lords remained with Henry to protect him, however they were executed by Margaret which horrified other nobility over her ruthlessness

Edward IV is acclaimed King

1461,

Acclaimed King but not actually coronated. Meant England had two options for King and also meant people didn’t feel bad fighting against ‘the King’ Henry VI.

Battle of Towton

1461,

Considered the largest and bloodiest battle fought on English soil, it continued for several days, eventually the Lancastrian force crumbled and they fled - cut down as they fled. 

* 28,000 death toll.

Huge Yorkist win however Henry VI, Margaret and Prince Edward however remained and fled to Scotland taking refuge with James III - leaving them a dynastic threat. 

Edward IV crowned as King

1461,

Crowned at Westminster Abbey

Battle of Hedgeley Moor

1464,

Arose from continuing Lancastrian resistance even after Towton

Edward had wanted to create peace with the Scots to ensure lancastrians couldn’t form an alliance with them. Lancastrians aimed to thwart this attempt of peace at Hedgeley moor.

Lord Montagu defeated a Lancastrian force led by the Duke of Somerset to allow the passage of Scottish ambassadors for peace talks with Edward. 

Battle of Hexham

1464,

After Towton, many lancastrian supporters had fled North, which made the area one of resistance.

The Duke of Somerset began raising forces and in response Edward sent the Earl of Warwick to defeat them. Warwick was joined by his brother Montagu moving after Hedgeley Moor and they overwhelmed and defeated the Lancastrian forces. 

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KEY DEATHS; Duke of Somerset executed, Lord Roos etc 

Significant as it largely ended Lancastrian resistance

Secret Marriage of Edward and Elizabeth Woodville

1464,

Looked down on as King’s marriages were often used in political gains or treaties, yet Edward had married a low born Woodville who already had two children. She also had lots of brothers/sisters who had to be promoted to be a worthy family to the King, however this meant the marriages of most of the eligible nobility in England. 

Particularly angered Warwick as it took marriages from his daughters and he was currently negotiating marriages for Edward so made him look silly in international relations.

Henry VI is captured by Yorkists

1465,

Ended the figurehead of Henry VI as a viable political tool

Warwick and Rivers international relations

1467,

Burgundy and France go to war and Edward sends Warwick to France and Rivers to Burgundy to try and make deals with each to see who to support.

Marriage Treaty with Burgundy

1468,

Angered Warwick because he had a better deal → start of Warwicks rebellions

Edward took Earl rivers deal with Burgundy which was terrible because it was so expensive:

* Edwards' sister Margaret of York was to marry Duke Charles the Bold.
*  The treaty was finalised in Feb 1468. However, Margarets dowry was to cost 41,666 - equal to the sum of england's yearly income 

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Saw the beginnings of Warwick’s rebellions 

Warwick’s first rebellion

1469,

Clarence marries Isabel Neville

1469,

Advancement for Warwick and provided the alliance between Clarence and Warwick. This marriage had been previously banned by Edward but they did it anyway

Rebellion of Robin of Resedale

1469,

Under the guise of Robin of Redesdale (still separate entity) → Warwick and Clarence start risings against Edward 

Battle of Edgecote

1469,

Pembroke meant the army led by Robin of redesdale, who were marching to join Warwick. Pembroke’s army had been weakened by internal conflicts with Devon that split the army. 

Pembroke lost to the rebels then was captured and illegally executed by Warwick as they held no trial. This showed warwick was finishing private feuds against the law.

Warwick captures Edward

1469,

Edward and his army march to meet Pembroke and Devon - not knowing of Pembroke’s loss at Edgecote and so when the army realises - they desert the King and he is captured. 

Warwick then aims to hold Edward as a puppet King but he is too strong for this and is eventually released to deal with a Lancastrian rising in the North. 

This ends Warwick’s first rebellion

Warwick’s second rebellion

1470,

Aim; replace Edward with Clarence 

Henry Percy is forgiven and his Earldom of Northumberland is restored

1470,

Edward restored Henry Percy and gave him back his lands and titles - this meant removing the title of the Earl of Northumberland from Montagu - Warwick’s brother 

Battle of Losecoat Field

1470,

Began with Warwick encouraging a rebellion led by Welles in Lincolnshire, which Edward took immediate action on. Warwick and Clarence pretended to be raising forces to join Edward against the rebels however instead they were planning on joining the rebels. 

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Edward easily defeated the rebels with many fleeing, he also found lots of evidence of Warwick and Clarence’s involvement. 

Most of the rebel leaders were executed

Warwick and Clarence flee to Calais

1470,

After losecoat field, Edward IV was forgiving to Warwick and Clarence if they surrendered themselves - however they didn’t and instead fled to France

Warwick’s third rebellion

1470,

Aim; put Henry VI back on the throne 

Successful as it drives Edward to Burgundy → 

Warwick-Lancastrian Alliance begins

1470,

In France, Louis XI (international spider) introduced the exiled Margaret of Anjou and Warwick where they reconciled and planned a joint invasion with French funding  

Treaty of Angers

1470,

Prince Edward, the Lancastrian heir, was to marry Anne Neville 

Louis XI would help plan and fund the invasion

Readeption of Henry VI

1470,

Henry was released from the Tower of London and placed again on the throne to act as a puppet King 

Clarence rejoins Edward IV

1471,

Clarence was eventually disillusioned by the Warwick-Lancastrian alliance and realised he had been better off under the earlier regime as no one liked him and most of his lands had been gained through attained Yorkist lands and so a Lancastrian revival threatened these lands. He was also suspicious of Lancastrians such as the Beauforts.

Battle of Barnet

1471,

Edward returned to England with Burgundian backing as Charles the Bold had supplied him with 50,000 florins and ships and took refuge in York. He then marched south to London, as did Warwick after raising troops and they fought until Edward IV won.  \n

KEY DEATHS; Earl of Warwick 

Battle of Tewkesbury

1471,

Margaret and Prince Edward raised forces to try and continue the Lancastrian rule despite Warwick’s death at Barnet however Edward’s forces were too strong and he won a decisive victory

Margaret of Anjou is also captured  \n

KEY DEATHS; Prince Edward

This ended the Lancastrian heir and therefore their cause 

Beginning of Edward’s second reign

1471,

Henry VI is quietly killed in the tower, end of the lancastrian dynastic threat 

Fauconberg’s rising

1471,

Treaty of Chateaugiron

1472,

Agreed support for Brittany

Treaty of London

1474,

Signed with Charles Bold of Burgundy agreed a joint invasion of France, which eventually Burgundy backed out of 

War with France

1475,

The invasion of France funded by tax granted by Parliament and Benevolences (forced loans from merchants). 

£180,000 was raised or promised for the expedition but much of this had not yet been collected by the time of Edward’s departure in 1475 and was later abandoned 

(this led to commons anger towards Edward)

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War was less successful than imagined because 

* Burgundy failed to uphold their agreement to help ENgland 
* England and France moved into peace negotiations, meaning chivalric glory and unification of nobility wasn’t achieved 
* No territorial gains were made 
* No triumph upon return because of this ^

Treaty of Picquigny

1475,

Peace treaty with Louis XIX → he breaks it later on; Edward agreed to withdraw from France in return for £15,000 immediately and £10,000 annually (restored crown finance in England)

There was to be a 7 year truce; marriage alliance between French Dauphine and Edward’s daughter Elizabeth of York (failed); trade concessions 

Execution of Clarence

1478,

Executed after being charged with treason


1. After his wife, Isabel Neville’s death he had one of her ladies tried and executed for ‘poisoning’ her - which was not allowed as he did not have the authority to do this 
2. He defended Burdett who had been tried and executed for prophesying the King’s death 
3. He kept a document from the readeption of Henry VI saying that he would be the heir if the lancastrian line failed 

This execution was later used by RIchard III as he blamed edward and the Woodvilles for Clarence’s death - increased the unpopularity of the woodvilles

War with Scotland

1481-82,

TERRITORIAL GAIN: Berwick Castle 

* France self-inserts with James III in an attempt to worsen relations between Scotland and France 
* England declared a full blown invasion of the Scottish, Edward marched up to Nottingham and then let Richard do the rest 
* King James III and his brother (Duke of Albany) had already argued so England decide to use Albany and promote his claim to the throne 
* Richard of Gloucestor leads the English against Scotland in  full force
* They invade from the funds raised for France and further benevolences 
* However after they lay siege to Berwick Castle and march to Ediburgh , Albany makes up with his brother and James III → march back with menial gains of the castle 

Most of the land conquered was not part of the royal estates so was just granted privately to Richard → english taxpayers received nothing for their expenditure 

Treaty of Arras

1482,

Peace/Marriage treaty between France and Burgundy 

The Heir of the French throne would have to make a Burgundian Marriage rather than marry Edward’s oldest daughter Elizabeth of York 

France and Burgundy signed this treaty and it led to the end of the annual 10,000 payment that the French made to Edward IV and the end of the planned marriage between France and Burgundy. 

* This was significant because england became dependant on french money 

Death of Edward IV

1483,

Unexpected, young death - the surprise caused the turmoil that followed his death

Edward V enters London and Richard is made protector

1483,

After hearing of the Woodville plans to move forward the coronation, Richard moved from the North to ‘rescue’ Edward from his relatives - this was supported because of general anti-Woodville feeling.

Lord Hastings executed

1483,

Lord Hastings was a previous supporter of Richard, even warning him of the Woodville’s plans, however became suspicious of his intentions and approached the Woodvilles to try and stop this. Richard found out and had him executed.

Richard Usurps the throne

1483,

His usurpation was aided by many factors; 

* Shock, no one had anticipated Richard’s actions 
* Anti-Woodville feeling
* The brutality of his actions 
* Chaos and instability in court left after Edward IV’s death
* Richard’s power base in the North 
* Weak position of Edward V

The London Plot

1483,

Aim was to rescue the Princes in the Towers and restore them to the throne 

The people of london set up fires around the city to break the princes out amidst the chaos, however the plot wasn’t formulated properly and not everyone engaged properly. 

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This showed unrest at Richard’s usurpation, even from within his own household as some of his own servants engaged with the plot. 

4 men were executed for involvement however there were suspicions that Margaret Beaufort and Henry Tudor were in correspondence 

* This showed first signs of Tudor opposition to Richard

October Risings

1483,

Aim was to restore the sons of Edward IV

A series of felonies and treasons committed in Southern cities - showing Richard was struggling to raise support in the South as his power base had been in the North 

It is though that after this, Richard had the princes killed so they did not exist as alternative heirs

Buckingham’s Rebellion

1483,

Originally aimed to restore Edward V, however replaced by aim to put Henry Tudor on the throne after rumours of Edward’s death

Organised by Margaret Beaufort (wealthy) and Elizabeth Woodville (connections to Edward IV’s old supporters).

* A series of revolts, all unified in deposing Richard 
* South-East, South, South-West
* A rising in Kent happened too early, meaning underprepared forces that were defeated and they eventually gave away the involvement of the Duke of Buckingham 
* Buckingham’s Welsh force planned to join with Henry’s force from Brittany, however this plot was given away and ruined as Richard had time to prepare 
* Richard then arrested and executed Buckingham (1483)
* Henry’s fleet was caught in a storm whilst crossing from France and so he didn’t have enough men and was then forced to retreat 
* Not all of the southern aristocracy supported the plot - weakening its effectiveness 

Richard defeated the rebellion without having to use the army he raised, however still had to pay them - made finance worse 

Richard attainted 104 families, including Beaufort 

Scared Richard as Henry Tudor remained an alternative heir 

The Northern Tyranny of 14__

1483,

This was the plantation of Northern lords in Southern lands after Richard attainted 104 lords after BUckingham’s rebellion

Led to the resentment of low born northerners due to cultural differences. Seen in ‘The Cat, the Rat and Lovel our dog - Rule all England under the Hog’ 

‘Titulus Regius’

1484,

is a statute of the Parliament of England issued in 1484 by which the title of King of England was given to Richard III and the princes in the tower were disinherited 

It also attained the sons of the Duke of Clarence 

Council of the North Created

1484,

Intended to keep the peace in the North that Richard himself had ensured during Edward IV’s reign - his attempt to ensure good government 

Richard III’s son Edward dies

1484,

Ruins his dynasty, which is important for a King - also drove his desire for a quick, new marriage so he could have another child

Anne Neville dies

1485,

Anne Neville dies in suspicious circumstances and most people assume he’s poisoned her. Especially because he proposed almost instantly after that he should marry Elizabeth of York. The suspicion that he killed her meant nevilles turned against him and they were massively influential in the North where most of Richard’s support lie  

Richard proposes marriage to Elizabeth of York

1485,

He proposes to marry his niece, Elizabeth of York which even his own advisors warned against. 


1. incestuous, however not a massive deal 
2. She was a woodville, further alienated the nevilles 
3. Seen as an offence to God 
4. Henry Tudor was also trying to marry E of York at this point 

Battle of Bosworth

1485,

Led by Henry Tudor, who had international connections due to growing up in exile - France were also more likely to support Tudor as Richard had tried to restart the Hundred years war (France were also facing possible civil war and so didn’t want to have to fight england too)

France gave weapons to Henry 

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Lord Stanley joined Henry Tudor’s side at last minute, providing 6000 new men that helped win the battle 

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Richard had a larger force but Tudor was more strategic so won the battle. 

KEY DEATHS; RICHARD III

Henry VII becomes King

1485,

He dated his reign the day before Bosworth so he had not committed treason by killing Richard III and so that everyone who had fought against him at Bosworth would be counted as treasonous 

He was the first king to claim ‘right of conquest’

He had claim through the heir general line from his mother through the illegitimate Beaufort line from John of Gaunt

Henry created the Yeoman of the Guard

1485,

These were 200 highly trained soldiers who could act as his bodyguard and have personal loyalty (aimed to establish law and order)

Commercial treaty with Brittany

1486,

Henry VI married Elizabeth of York

1486,

This marriage united the houses of York and Lancaster 

Approved by Pope Innocent VIII, strengthened the wright of the marriage 

Lovell’s rising

1486,

Lord Lovell, a major supporter of Richard III tried to organise a rebellion with the Stafford Brothers

Lovell planned to raise support in the ‘Ricardian North’, which he did and for the Staffords to raise support in the Midlands, which they failed to do 

Henry Percy was a key figure who wielded a lot of men - however despite his previous ricardian support he joined the force of Henry Tudor against the rebels 

This led to the defeat of the rebels where Lovell escaped to Burgundy and Humphrey Stafford was executed  \n

Lovell was an effective leader as he had many close ties in the North that he could raise as a force 

He was also very wealthy from his promotions under Richard III

However, he had very little/no southern support  \n

Henry VI made quick action and shut down the rising

Lambert Simnel Rising

1486-7,

A priest began a charade that with young boy, Simnel, pretending he was the Earl of Warwick (son of Clarence) 

He was paraded around as the ‘rightful’ KIng of England 

He was taken to Ireland where he was crowned and supported with Irish troops 

The plot was also sponsored by Margaret of Burgundy (Edward/Clarence/Richard’s sister) who provided troops

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In June 1487, this collective force landed in Yorkshire and aimed to rally Richard’s old northern support - however failed to do this 

This failed but they did manage to deter Henry Percy and hold him from joining the royal forces 

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This plot was made dangerous because it had both foreign and domestic support 

However Henry was able to act swiftly and raise a huge army whilst also parading the real Earl of Warwick around to prove Simnel as a fake - as he was being kept in the tower 

Battle of Stoke

1487,

The Simnel rising came to a finish when they fought the Battle of Stoke (1487) and Henry’s army won decisively 

Topcliffe Rebellion

1489

In 1489, Parliament allowed Henry £100,000 in tax so he could support Brittany against France (RENEW WAR)

However this raising of taxes was resented in the North - especially because they were still involved in defending the Scottish border 

Northerners were not willing to pay for the defence of Southern borders which they viewed as far away 

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This led to Topcliffe’s tax rebellion led by John Egremont 

This rebellion murdered Henry Percy who tried to stand against them and enforce the taxes 

However the rebellion was easily ended after the royal forces got involved 

Perkin Warbeck Conspiracy

1491-99,

The Yorkist faction pretended to have prince Richard - one of the princes in the tower - This convinced and won the support of nobility in England e.g Earl of Desmond 

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Copying the earlier Simnel rising, they went to Ireland, however Henry Tudor was prepared and sent a large force to expel them from Ireland - preventing them from gaining Irish support 

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Charles VIII, the King of France, sent a fleet to rescue Warbeck from Ireland and bring him to France. However, Henry was having none of this and started a full scale invasion of France in 1492

This ends with French submission and the Treaty of Etaples that kicks Warbeck out of France 

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Warbeck seeks aid in Burgundy where he is confirmed and declared as Richard IV by Margaret of Burgundy 

Margaret supported rebellions against Henry because he usurped her families yorkist line 

Henry VI attempted economic pressure by restricting trade with Burgundy, however they responded by banning all wool trade with England - one of their biggest imports 

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James IV, KIng of Scotland, wanted to be a bigger international player so got involved and harboured Warbeck 

Warbeck was married to James IV’s niece and given military support

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King’s forces held strong and no aristocracy joined Warbeck’s cause 

This caused rebels to lose faith and begin to disperse until Warbeck was defeated 

Warbeck was captured in 1497

He was initially treated leniently by Henry VI as he knew Warbeck was simply a pawn - He was even given a role in government - however he fled in 1498 soo was then taken back and given life imprisonment in the Tower of London and later executed

However he confessed that Margaret of Burgundy had organised the whole thing

Treaty of etaples

1492,

Kicked Perkin Warbeck out of France

Recognised Henry vii as the right king

Cornish Tax Rebellion

1497,

In 1497, Parliament voted for a tax to help the campaign against Scotland and Pekin Warbeck, who had joined forces 

The Cornish refused to contribute to a tax for a campaign in the North that had no relevance to them 

Led by a Blacksmith, their force of 15,000 marched to London 

As Henry had already sent his forces north to deal with Warbeck - he had to recall them to defend London

Battle of Blackheath

1497,

The King’s army easily beat the rebels at the Battle of BlackHeath (1497)

The leaders were executed and many other rebels escaped or where killed