Which leading member of the Yorkist faction was the most responsible for Henry VI`s downfall?

What were the events leading up to the Duke of York`s first protectorate?

Against the background of Henry VI`s mental incapacitation, following loss of France, culminating on the 17th July 1453, when Talbot died mid battle.

Somerset is accused of treason by the Duke of Norfolk, seeing him imprisioned in the tower.

Due to Henry`s state, a Protector was needed. The Queen attempted to secure this, however Parliament granted it the Duke in late march 1454.

Why were many nobles uneasy with York being professed Protector?

To empower an aristocrat to that extent was immensely dangerous. Perhaps out of jealousy, or caution they opposed this arrangement because it created way for an over-mighty subject, perhaps rivalling the King at a future time/date.

What did Richard, Duke of York`s first Protectorate look like?

The duke`s leadership demonstrated unpartisan qualities of just governance, surrounding himself with a varied court.

York assumed allegiance of Neville's, who`s defected from the Lancastrians after land disputes with Somerset regarding the lordship over Glamorgan. Earl of Salisbury is made Chancellor.

What resistance did York`s protectorate face?

The Percy family, Lord Edgemont and the Duke of Exeter in the north attempted to raise forces against York. However on 19th May 1454, York went north causing rebels to flee.

It was difficult to implement legal redress as royal officers could find themselves in danger when trying to exercise justice in the Percy strongholds in the North.

Describe the return of the duke of Somerset

9th February 1455, York resigns from power, with the Anjou faction re-assuming power.

Political significance of the Protectorate is undermined by its brevity. Key factor in provoking Richard`s sedition ambition. The Protectorate highlights the cementing on the alliance between the two families.

What were the events leading to the Duke of York`s second protectorate?

THE FIRST BATTLE OF ST ALBANS

First Battle of St Albans

22ND MAY 1455 - Clear demonstration of regal incompetence. Duke of Somerset and Henry Percy is murdered, and the Yorkists immediately plead their innocence and loyalty to the King.

What might one argue surrounding the political significance of the peace ceremony following the battle?

It was a demonstration of the monarch`s lack of power, how his over-mighty subjects could easily overpower the incompetence king.

The act of York crowning the King highlighted to his younger relative that the authority to reinforce or destroy the Lancastrian reign was invested in him.

What did Richard, Duke of York`s second Protectorate look like?

November 1455 - made protector of the realm again

Provided Earl of Warwick with new found prominence (personally responsible for death of Somerset), by rewarding him with Captaincy of Calais ---> extremely prominent military position.

He actively opposed Margaret and her supporters in Parliament

When was York removed from the second Protectorate?

Removed in February 1456

What happened in the aftermath of the second Protectorate?

Henry is convinced by sons of those killed at St Albans, Sir Humphrey Stafford and Margaret of Anjou that York is dangerous to the stability of their regime.

The Great Council convenes at Coventry

What is unique about this Great Council in Coventry and what do they conclude?

This meeting solely consists of Lancastrians, highlighting a lack of consideration for alternative political viewpoints.

Parliament of Devils 1459 - denounced the Duke of York and Earls of Salisbury and Warwick as traitors, sentencing them to death in their absence and disinheriting all their heirs.

Yorkists were all accused of treason, and Buckingham raised an army against them. Richard remains hidden in the marshes awaiting Neville support that never came.

Battle of Ludford Bridge

12th October 1459

Richard of York now realised many of his men would refuse to fight the king himself - especially as Henry offered pardon to those who would change sides.

York, Salisbury and Warwick abandoned their armies during the night and fled to Wales, leaving their leaderless troops to kneel in submission on the dawn of 13 October. They were pardoned.

What are the key events of the Yorkist invasion of 1460?

Drogheda Parliament of 1460

Yorkist Propaganda

Battle of Northampton

10th October

Act pf Accord

Drogheda Parliament of 1460

Anglo-Irish political leaders awarded unprecedented amounts of political recognition.

He gained large numbers of archers and Warwick amassed resources and money via privateering against the French to support the Yorkist cause.

When did the Yorkists arrive in England?

Arrived in Sandwich, marching on London with the Kentish people

Battle of Northampton (1460)

King captured, Buckingham killed. The Queen and Edward retreated to the North.

AT THIS POINT, YORK STILL HADN`T RETURNED TO ENGLAND.

10th October 1460

Richard entered Parliament, provocatively laying his hand upon the empty throne. He did not have support from the aristocracy there, with even the Neville family being surprised.

Act of Accord

Made Henry VI king for life, but disinherited Edward and his heirs. Instead, it made Richard the heir, and all heirs begotten by him the Kings of England.

How did the Lancastrians respond to the Act of Accord

The Queen sent a document in the Prince Edward`s name to the city of London, asserting Lancastrian rights and denouncing York as a traitor.

Lancastrian supporters assembled and on the 30th December attacked York. The subsequent Battle of Wakefield saw the deaths of both Edmund of Rutland and the Duke of York.

What happened to York`s corpse?

York`s corpse was posthumously beheaded as a traitor, hoisted upon the city walls of York with a paper crown

Outline the events in-between The Battle of Wakefield and the Battle of Towton.

- Londoners refused to support Margaret due to ruthless, looting reputation.

-2/2/1461 - Edward tackled Jasper-led Lancastrian forces formidably at Mortimer Cross.

- 17/2/1461 - Yorkist face setback at 2nd St Albans because of misinformation around Lancastrian force placement. Warwick taken by surprise, Henry VI recaptured.

- Londoners refused to let Margaret and her forces into London, allowing Edward to enter in March and be proclaimed King.

When was Battle of Towton?

Palm Sunday, 1461

What is the background of Towton?

10% of English and Welsh men aged 16-60 participated, and archaeological evidence clearly demonstrates the extreme bloodshed and violence. This demonstrates the extnet of the bitterness that the war had now reached, and the success of Warwick`s propaganda campaigns.

- Warwick sent horse away before war to demonstrate willingness to fight with his men to the death.

Why was the Yorkist victory surprising?

Lancastrians had the higher ground, and support of at least 18 prominent nobles such as Suffolk, Exeter, Somerset and Northumberland, thereby outnumbering Edward

Why was the Yorkist victory expected?

- Edward had effective military leadership thereby making victory easier.

- The wind was in their favour, meaning their arrows flew further. And Edward`s maternal uncle commanded the archers, getting them to collect enemy arrows (which fell short) and fire them.

- Norfolk brought in reinforcements.

Explain the final events of Towton?

L lost position of prominencce having to descend, leading to boodbath.

Lancastrian losses were immense. River Cock filled up with corpses, which ppl used to cross the river at points.

Aftermath of Battle of Towton?

- Lancastrian support is decimated, w/ leading Lancastrian supporters being killed like Northumberland, Wlles and Daarce, w/ Devon being executed afterwards.

The only drawback of this decisive victory was the failure to kill Henry VI, his heir and his wife.