causes of wars of the roses

weaknesses of henry vi- obsessed with peace/ incredibly religious

-did not deal with any previous issues properly- led to war in france

-avoided violence e.g cade's rebellion

weaknesses of henry vi- poor mental/ physical health

• experienced 2x catatonic states where a protectorate was needed

• showed he was a weak ruler

weaknesses of henry vi- only 9 months old when he inherited the throne

• regency council ruled but was mainly his uncles- John, Duke of Bedford and Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester

• his uncles were often involved in violent disputes which he had to resolve

• never saw a good/ successful King or had any guidance from his father as he died when henry was very young

losses in france

• Treaty of Tours (1444)- henry promised to surrender Maine but kept this a secret as he knew it would be unpopular

• Anti-war faction= Edmund Beaufort (Duke of Somerset) and William de la Pole (Duke of Suffolk)

• VS Pro-war faction= Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester and Richard, Duke of York

• Battle of Castillon and Forminge= led to the loss of Gascony and a loss in pride

york v somerset

• York was replaced as Captain of Calais

• loss of france

• york refused the role as heir apparent

• York kept somerset imprisoned during his protectorate

• Replaced as Lieutenant as France

cade's rebellion

• Henry fled leaving Margaret in control- shows his weakness as king

• 46,000 rebels- shows how many people were unhappy

• York issed 2x bills of complaints when he returned from Ireland immediately after the rebellion- more serious show of opposition against Henry

financial and economic causes

• By 1450 the crown owed a total of £372,000 (£200,000 was owed to cardinal Henry Beaufort

• The loss of normandy (1450) and Gascony (1451) affected the morals and income of some english magnates of Henry V had granted wealthy families territories in france

• 1455 'the great slump'- reduced income from customs and taxes

• reduction of income from crown lands due to inflation and rising arrears in payment of rent

• the crowns income had fallen from £120,000 during Henry IV's reign to £45,000 during Henry VI's reign

private feuds PvN

• Percy's= northumberland's sons- Thomas, Lord Egremont, Raplh Percy and Richard Percy

• VS the neville's= earl of salisbury's sons- Thomas Neville and John Neville

• both parties were summonded by henry to explain their actions but ignored the command

• marriage between Thomas Neville and Maud Stanhope- salisbury was ambushed after the wedding by Lord Egremont and Ralph Percy

private feuds CvB

• courtenay's= earl of devon v bonville's= Lord william bonville of chewton

• henry refused to choose a side

• york had to personally intervene

• rise of tension