chapter 2: wars of the roses

Why did Richard Duke of York return from Ireland in September 1450?

1. He returned to clear his name after Suffolk's death-

Rebel manifesto wanted York to give advice not Somerset,

Somerset feared York wanted to usurp the throne

Seemed like his return was a response to the rebels-looked like treason to nobility- not helped through his 3000 men he had behind.

York sent messages to the king throughout his journey home to clear his name

2.to have his loans repaid-Despite being rich, he had retainers needing to be paid to keep up appearances.

He was owed 26000 by government for his job as leitenant in ireland.

3.to protect his position-Somerset acquired position of king's chief advisor, not york despite being senior nobleman in the realm.York was scared if he was found to be treasonous, somerset who had royal blood would be made hier presumptive.

4.to remove Somerset-Somerset had lost York property in normandy.He should have been chief advisor by birth right.

There were protests in london concerned with loss of normandy inflamed by arrival of DoYork.

Somerset was placed in the tower till city had calmed

5. to bring justice against corruption-York claimed to be attacking the 'evil men' around henry, taking advantage of the mood of england- Inspired by his cold reception by the king. September 1450-york made a call for traitors to be brought to justice/asserting his loyalty to the crown+ offering personal assistance to help solve issues in household

Henry invited him to join council of advisers to discuss treason

What was the significance of Cade using the name Mortimer in relation to York?

Cade's use of the name Mortimer linked him to York through his mother's maiden name, which made York's return seem treasonous to the nobility. situation not made better by the 3000 men he had

What was York's financial situation upon returning from Ireland?

Despite being wealthy, York was owed £26,000 by the government for his job as lieutenant in Ireland and needed to pay his retainers.

What position did Somerset hold that threatened York's status?

Somerset was the king's chief advisor now, a position York believed he should have held by birthright. York was scared if he was found to be treasonous, somerset who had royal blood would be made hier presumptive. Somerset had lost York property in normandy

What actions did York take to assert his loyalty to the crown?

September 1450-york made a call for traitors to be brought to justice/asserting his loyalty to the crown+ offering personal assistance to help solve issues in household

Henry invited him to join council of advisers to discuss treason

What was the outcome of York's cold reception from the king upon return in 1450?

It fueled York's desire to remove Somerset and assert his own position, as he felt threatened by Somerset's influence.

What did York do in 1452 instead of joining the king's council?

went to ludlow where he organized a coup and pro-Yorkist demonstrations, gathering armed support across the country. He issued propaganda letters declaring his intentions to bring good governance/rid king of 'evil advisors'

What were the main causes for York's coup attempt?

-York acted against Somerset before Somerset could act against him, despite no evidence of Somerset plotting against him.

-York wanted removal of somerset because of his failures in France. He had tried through parliament and now force.

-Henrys favoritism to Somerset

What role did the Earl of Devon play in York's coup attempt?

William Courtenay, the Earl of Devon, marched to Ludlow with military support for York.

What was the public sentiment in London regarding Somerset's loss of Normandy?

There were protests in London concerning the loss of Normandy, which were inflamed by York's arrival.

What did York issue to towns to gather support for his cause?

York issued propaganda letters declaring his intentions to bring good governance and rid the king of 'evil advisors'.

What was the outcome of York's attempt to gain support from Kent?

Kent did not rise in support of York, which was a setback after the results of Cade's rebellion. neither did London

What was York's relationship with Henry VI during this period?

York was attempting to assert his loyalty to Henry VI while also challenging Somerset's influence over the king.

What did York claim to be attacking upon his return?

York claimed to be attacking the 'evil men' around Henry VI, taking advantage of the public mood.

What was the significance of York's military entourage during his return?

His 3,000 men made his return appear treasonous to the nobility and heightened suspicions about his intentions.

What was the result of York's call for justice in September 1450?

Henry VI invited York to join the council of advisers to discuss issues of treason.

What was York's ultimate goal in removing Somerset from power?

York wanted to eliminate Somerset due to his failures in France and to secure his own position as chief advisor.

What did York do to prepare for his coup in 1452?

He organized demonstrations and gathered armed support, focusing on towns where he or his allies had influence.

What was the political climate in England at the time of York's return?

The political climate was tense, with public dissatisfaction over Somerset's failures and the loss of Normandy.

How did York's actions reflect his view of Somerset's influence?

York perceived Somerset's influence as a direct threat to his own power and the stability of the realm.

What was the significance of York's oath of allegiance to the king in January 1452?

It was a strategic move to maintain his loyalty while simultaneously plotting against Somerset.

where did King Henry and York's supporters meet in 1452?

They met at dartford where king had Buckingham, Salisbury, warwick and an army- York bent on one knee and read out his list of complaints

What was the outcome for York after presenting his complaints?

York was to return to his estates with no consequences for the next 18 months.

What were the reasons for York's lack of success in 1452?

1. Nobility unwilling to help Henry. 2. London remained loyal to Henry. 3. Kent did not rise up. 4. York's demands lacked popular appeal. 5. York's actions appeared treasonous. 6. Henry seemed to be doing well as king. York had previously sworn an oath of loyalty to the king in January 1452, which made the military action at Dartford seem hypocritical and suspicious.

Brief mention of how the king's large army (thanks to forewarning from York's letters) helped intimidate any potential supporters might strengthen your point.

What were the symptoms of King Henry's illness from August 1453 to January 1455?

He was completely oblivious to his surroundings, unable to speak or move, and experienced complete amnesia upon recovery.

What were the causes of King Henry's illness?

1. News of John Talbot's death at the Battle of Castillon and loss of Gascony. 2. Strain from extensive travel due to weak constitution. 3. Pressure from Margaret's first pregnancy. 4. Hereditary condition from his grandfather, Charles VI.

What significant event occurred on August 24, 1453, during the power struggle?

Open warfare broke out between the Percy and Neville families. King should have stepped in but was incapacitated. Nevilles turned to the DoY -gave him the noble support he had been lacking in 1452 coup. Nobility now split between support for York/Somerset

What role did York assume when King Henry was incapacitated?

York was given the protectorate as the government could not continue without the king.

What was the significance of the birth of Edward, Prince of Wales, on October 13, 1453?

It complicated the leadership of the government, as York was no longer the heir, and Margaret favored Somerset.

What happened to Somerset in November 1453?

Somerset was arrested and sent to the Tower due to claims made by Norfolk regarding his failures in France.

What was Margaret's reaction to York being named protector in March 1454?

Margaret seemed to have accepted York's appointment as protector.

What was the significance of Margaret's claim for regency?

Her claim was driven by the birth of her son and Henry's illness, as she felt no one had her son's best interests in mind.

How did Margaret act in the political landscape after York's 1452 coup?

She took on an intermediary role, acting on behalf of her husband when York was ostracized from court.(eg after York's 1452 coup when Duchess of york asked her to act on her husband's behalf after York being ostracized from court)

why was York appointed as protector

-Gov couldn't function without chancellor john kemp who died in March

-A regent had to be appointed so government could continue

Who were the main competitors for the protectorate alongside York in March 1454?

The Duke of Exeter and Margaret of Anjou.

What was the impact of York's protectorate on the nobility?

It split the nobility between support for York and Somerset.

what were the constraints of Yorks protectorate?

1) no one knew how long he would rule for 2)it was set up acknowledging that either prince or king would come back 3) many rejected his rule like Duke of Exeter, Percys who thought their claim was stronger

What was the nature of King Henry's condition during his illness?

He was incapacitated and unable to fulfill his royal duties.

What did York's protectorate signify for the political dynamics in England?

It marked a shift in power and the beginning of a struggle for control between York and Margaret.

What was the public perception of York's actions during his initial rise to power?

His actions were viewed as treasonous, which contributed to his lack of popular support.

What was the role of the nobility during Henry's illness?

The nobility became divided in their support, which influenced the power struggle.

How did York's protectorate affect the governance of England?

York's protectorate was necessary for governance as the king was incapacitated.

What was the reason for the gap between Henry's illness and York's appointment?

Reservations from lords who feared York would seek revenge against Somerset.

Who was the chancellor that the government relied on before his death in March?

John Kemp.

What were the constraints on York's rule?

1) Uncertainty of how long he would rule, 2) Acknowledgment that either prince or king could return, 3) Rejection of his rule by nobles like the Duke of Exeter and the Percys.

How did York build support among the nobles?

He did not favor any supporters, maintaining positions of power for Bonville and the Earl of Wiltshire, which angered the Earl of Devon.

What was the consequence of York's decision not to remove Bonville?

It led to the Earl of Devon fighting against York in the Battle of St Albans.

What actions did York take to reward his supporters?

He acquitted Devon for a 1452 coup, appointed the Earl of Salisbury as chancellor, and favored the Nevilles in disputes.

What was York's stance on Somerset while he was imprisoned?

-Was in the tower since Nov 1453- york knew that if henry got better somerset would return to power-York wanted to bring Somerset to trial but faced opposition from other noblemen.

What position did York appoint himself to undermine Somerset?

Captain of Calais.

How did York's inability to work with Somerset affect his reputation?

It made the nobility distrust him and complicated his governance.

What financial reforms did York implement in 1454?

He cut kings household expenditure to £5,000 from £24,000 and increased custom duties by persuading wool merchants to loan to the government.

What was one of York's reforms to protect merchant shipping?

He reformed the navy.

Why did nobles resort to violence during York's rule?

They lacked faith in York to impose impartial justice due to Somerset's imprisonment. eg May 1454- Exeter angry not being protector joined with Percys in north and began attack on Neville property and took control of York city for 5 days. Duke of york acted with vigour,gathering an army and heading north- Exeter fled to westminster abbey.

How did York distribute grants compared to King Henry?

York distributed grants more fairly than King Henry had done.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Stanford Bridge in November 1454?

November 1454- battle of Stanford bridge, Percys defeated and leaders captured

-the contrast in the way henry failed to deal with feuding nobles was made apparent but the fact remained York was a noble and many believed he wasn't detatched enough to administer impartial justice. The Percys were defeated and their leaders captured.

What happened when Henry began to recover in early 1455?

Somerset was released from the tower, charges dropped, and he regained his captaincy. + henry ordered release of Duke of exeter ( ignored by salisbury who was constable of Pontefract castle) + Earl of Salisbury replaced as chancellor by the archbishop of Canterbury- led to release of duke of Exeter finally.

What was the reaction of York and the Nevilles to Somerset's release?

They left court anticipating trouble due to Somerset's desire for revenge.

What support did York gain by 1455?

He gained noble support from Salisbury and Warwick who he didn't have in 1452

What was the focus of the government after Henry's recovery?

A narrow government focused on Somerset and his supporters.

How did the Nevilles' loyalty change during York's rise?

They turned to York after being favored by the Lancastrian government over the Percys.

What fear did Yorkists have regarding Henry's call for parliament in April?

They feared it was a trap for York to be charged with treason which may be why York resorted to violence.

What was the significance of the Battle of St Albans?

It marked a conflict between York's supporters and those loyal to Somerset.