Personality of Margaret of Anjou

Why was Margaret’s betrothal to Henry so controversial?

It was arranged under the Treaty of Tours, a two year truce between England and France, and was controversial because:

• Margaret was the niece of Charles VII of France

• No dowry was to be provided for Margaret despite custom and the English had to pay the entire cost of the wedding

• England was to surrender the area of Maine to France at the end of the truce, an area that had been won by the English

When was the Treaty of Tours arranged and who by?

The Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Suffolk arranged it in 1444

How old was Margaret when she became queen?

15 years old

Why was Margaret seen as promoting factionalism within the royal court?

She supported Somerset and Suffolk and attempted to isolate Richard, Duke of York, who was heir apparent to the throne until Edward was born.

Somerset was very unpopular due to his disaster as commander of English forces in Normandy

Why were Somerset and Suffolk controversial figures?

Somerset was very unpopular due to his disaster as commander of English forces in Normandy and both of them were enemies of York.

Why do historians think Margaret isolated York?

She wanted to discourage English attacks on France and she was accused of using her influence to have York removed from his post as military commander in France, in favour of Somerset.

What influence did Margaret have over the English surrender of Maine in March 1448?

Henry appeared reluctant to make the final handover but he was placed under considerable pressure from the French king’s envoys as well as from his wife.

Why was there an image of Margaret as a vicious domineering woman?

It is partly a result of the prejudices of Medieval English chroniclers who were hostile towards her because of her nationality and sex.

Why is there some truth in Margaret being vicious?

She encouraged her husband to agree to the 1459 ‘Parliament of Devils’

How did Margaret’s upbringing impact her personality?

Her mother acted as regent of Naples while her father was away so Margaret had very strong female role models

When did Margaret have her child? Why was this criticised?

She gave birth to a male heir, Prince Edward, in October 1453 but had been criticised before for her childless state.

What happened when Henry VI met his son for the first time?

He was unable to recognise him.

What was the ‘Parliament of Devils’? When was it?

November 1459- A meeting that condemned the leading Yorkists to death in their absence and also completely disinherited them and their heirs. The harshness of this meeting is blamed on Margaret as an act of vengeance against York.

All the lords also had to recognise Prince Edward as Henry VI’s heir and take a solemn oath of loyalty to him.

What was the Act of Accord in 1460?

It disinherited the prince and made Richard the king’s heir instead.

What was the response to the Act of Accord?

A large Lancastrian force surprised the Duke of York at Sandal Castle and killed him on 30 December. To mock his claims to the throne, they cut off his head and displayed it on the walls of the city of York, wearing a paper crown.