Wars of the Roses - York's second protectorate (chapter 3)

Great Council called

May 1455, by Henry or probably Somerset

York and Nevilles’ response to Great Council

stayed away and raised an army

Yorkists (by May 1455)

York, Nevilles: Salisbury and Warwick

Lancastrians (by May 1455)

Percys (Egremont and Northumberland), Margaret, Somerset, Exeter and Clifford

What did both sides do before the battle of St Albans

sent messengers back and forth - started by Yorkists who demanded Somerset be handed over

Deaths at St Albans

Somerset, Northumberland (both hunted down), Clifford

What did the sons of those killed do

Joined the king’s army (Lancastrian army)

What did the Yorkists do after St Albans

Took Henry back to London, York made constable of England and Warwick made Captain of Calais

Did York fully take over government

No, did not replace Archbishop of Canterbury, cooperated with Parliament and therefore there was no dissent from nobles or parliament

What did Margaret do after the battle of St Albans

Retreated to midlands with her son, set up court in Coventry, sent for nobles that she trusted, wanted to take York down

Impact on York’s relationship with Henry

Henry seemed to accept York (closes adult male relative), he became King’s chief advisor. Henry had a ceremonial coronation where York gave him the crown

When did another power vacuum occur

Autumn 1455 - Henry had another breakdown, possibly from the effects of the battle

What happened to the Lancastrians at court after St Albans

They were excluded from power, Northumberland and Somerset no invited to council

York made protector for 2nd time

November 19th 1455

What happened to Devon and York

Devon was no longer York’s ally as the Bonvilles had allied with York. Devon attacked the Bonvilles and the Courtney murdered Nicholas Radford, the Bonvilles’ lawyer

Reasons for York becoming protector

Yorkist victory, Somerset gone, desire for power, promise of reform, problems in south-west, King’s health, lack of alternative

How did the Yorkists deal blame after the battle

9th July 1455 - called a Parliament and put all blame onto Somerset, pardoned all the Yorkists (even accused Somerset of hiding letters that were now spread, showing York’s loyalty to the King)

York’s reforms in 2nd protectorate

Limited Queen’s spending to 10,000 marks a year, declared that Duke of Gloucester had died a loyal and true subject (therefore gaining support of those who regarded him highly)

Exeter argued he should be protector - why was he not chosen

Seen as a traitor for rebelling against York’s 1st protectorate

When did Henry begin to recover

February 1456

When did Henry join Margaret in Kenilworth

Autumn 1456 - power shift

Impact of Margaret gaining more power - 1456

Lawrence Booth, her chancellor, made Keeper of the Privy Seal, Shrewsbury was made treasurer

Margaret’s actions towards Warwick - 1456

Began starving him of funds when he wouldn’t leave after replacing him with Somerset. Warwick turned to piracy and attacked the Hansa fleet, for which Margaret demanded he resign and ordered him to appear in London for his charges.

Margaret extending her alliance - 1456

Shrewsbury and Pembroke (Jasper Tudor) joined her, also Buckingham (shocked by Warwick’s piracy).

Yorkist actions that led to uneasy peace

Warwick’s piracy, York put people close to him in positions of power, produced lots of propaganda e.g. spreading rumours about Margaret like sexual infidelity

Lancastrian actions that led to uneasy peace

attempted murder of Warwick in 1456 by Exeter, Somerset and Shrewsbury; Devon attacked Bonville property and murdered their lawyer and took over Exeter

Margaret’s actions that led to uneasy peace

Starving Warwick of funds, building up her support network, charged York with treason, distributed emblems of a swan with a crown - representing her son

Other factors for uneasy peace

King’s relapse in 1455, growing violence in the south-west, Courtneys declared Radford’s death suicide and destroyed the body, rioting in London, Edmund Tudor and 2 Yorkist men began fighting for York’s castle

Loveday

March 1458

Events of Loveday

Henry called for both sides to give a show of unity, marched side by side through London

What did the Yorkists have to do after Loveday

Give money to chantries for priests to pray for their sins - taking blame for St Albans, and had to compensate the Clifford and Percy family

Battle of Blore heath - when and winner

23rd September 1459, Yorkist victory

Events of Blore Heath

Salisbury and Warwick heading to York in Ludlow with their forces. Margaret found out and sent Lord Audley to intercept. Audley and Salisbury fought, and Audley was killed. Parliament issued a pardon for those not involved with killing Audley but neither sides accepted.

Battle of Ludford Bridge - when and winner

October 1459, Lancastrian victory

Events of Ludford bridge

Salisbury, Warwick and York all gathered forces together. Met by Lancastrian army at Ludford bridge. The troops from Calais were not prepared to fight against the King so backed off, Yorkists were outnumbered and Lancastrians won.

What happened to the Yorkists after Ludford bridge

York fled to Ireland; Warwick & Salisbury & Earl of March went to Calais; two of York’s two held hostage

Parliament of the Devils

November 1459

Parliament of the Devils events

Parliament called at Coventry by Margaret. Attainted all the Yorkists and disinherited their heirs - shocking and extremely harsh

Impact of the Parliament of the Devils

Many shocked - joined the Yorkist cause because Margaret had broken inheritance laws, York realised he needed to take the throne - wasn’t enough to control Henry,

Yorkist invasion - when

1460

Events before Yorkist invasion

Warwick visits York in Ireland to discuss invasion, intercepted by Exeter on the way back but they don’t fight; raid of Sandwick and two earls: Rivers and Scales captured.

Events of Yorkist invasion

Warwick, Salisbury, and March land in Sandwich and capture it, gain support and an army and head to London were they gained entry. Begin marching North as that is where Margaret and Henry are.

Battle of Northampton - when and winner

1460, Yorkist victory

Events of Northampton

Lancastrians refuse to negotiate, Lord Grey (originally a Lancastrian) switched sides and allowed Warwick access to Lancastrian encampment. Rain messed with the Lancastrian guns.

Aftermath of the battle of Northampton

Margaret and Edward escaped to Wales, Henry was captured and taken back to London where the Yorkists proclaimed their loyalty to him

Act of accord - when

October, 1460

What was the act of accord

Stated that York was now the heir to the throne, and that if Henry broke the terms of the accord, York would become King

Battle of Wakefield - when and winner

December 1460, Lancastrian victory

Events of Wakefield

There were Lancastrian attacks/disruption in the North, so York, Salisbury and Rutland went to deal with the problem. They were out hunting and were attacked by a Lancastrian party and all three were killed.

Battle of Mortimer’s cross - when and winner

1461, Edward Earl of March (Yorkist) victory

Mortimer’s cross events

Edward heard Wiltshire was in Wales and went to fight him. Wiltshire joined by Jasper Tudor (Pembroke) and a welsh army. Edward won, and Owen Tudor killed.

2nd Battle of St Albans - when and winner

1461, Lancastrian victory

2nd battle of St Albans events

Warwick led an army up to St Albans where they met Margaret’s army coming down from the south. Lancastrian victory because of Trollope’s military prowess. Henry now in Lancastrian hands.

Why did Margaret not head for London after their victory?

They had been reports and rumours about her army pillaging and attacking villages. She was worried London would not let her in.

What did Edward do after St Albans?

Met Warwick and they went to London. He was proclaimed King on March 4th.

Battle of Towton - when and winner

1461, Yorkist victory - Edward becomes King

Lead up to Towton

Edward marched North to meet Margaret’s army, they met at Pontefract where the Yorkists won, but then the two sides met properly at Towton the next day.

Reasons for Towton victory

Edward recruited men, raised money, used the wind as a tactic, Norfolk showed up with extra troops, inspired his forces, the Lancastrians had broken the bridge leading to them being trapped