Lancs ans Yorkists BP3

Why was Henry VI so easy to work around?

Because he was a man with little to no personality and had always agreed with all the people around him, such as with the Duke of Suffolk, giving him numerous amounts of land and titles.

Italian bankers who were in charge of giving royal finance, had labelled Henry VI as a “natural fool” and limiting his loans to £1000 a year due to his spending on things such as Eton school, which had seen large sums of money invested.

What was Margaret of Anjou like before and after she had married Henry VI?

She was a princess, married to Henry at 15 as part of the Treaty of Tours 1444, which had seen a truce in the 100 Years War. She had brought no dowry with her so her reputation in England was originally low as a French woman with no real benefit to the monarchy or England.

What was the 1444 Treaty of Tours?

A treaty with Charles VII calling for a truce in the 100 years war and establishing the marriage of HVI to Margaret of Anjou, helped by the Duke of Suffolk, as he was the Captain of Calais at the time, with a secret clause that gave up Maine back to France. However this led to unpopularity of him later.

Why was the Duke of Suffolk so unpopular?

The Duke of Suffolk (William De La Pole) was a top noble under HVI, being his chief advisor when he was in his catatonic stupors. His negotiation of the Treaty of Tours in 1444 meant the marraige was unpopular as Margaret came with no dowry and the secret clause included in the treaty.

The war in France had an impact as he was the scapegoat of the failings of the English army in France. As he had organised the attack on Fougeres in 1449, which ended up being a massive disaster for the English against Charles VII, leading to not only breaching terms of Tours but also the crumbling of English territory in France including Normandy.

He was also accused of large financial mismanagement as the crown owed £370,000, a burden which was blamed on De La Pole. Also because of him acquiring so many titles such as Admiral of England, Warden of the cinque Ports, etc and royal estates after being rewarded by HVI, which led to the acts of Resumption under the DoY.

How was the Duke of Suffolk brought down?

After the Parliament of 1449-50, he was arrested and put in the Tower for things he did do like corruption, financial mismanagement, and probably didn’t do like plotting with the French to invade and plotting to overthrow HVI. He was originally sentenced to death but HVI put his foot down and only got him exiled for 5 years instead. However he was intercepted his ship and beheaded him after a mock trial. These sailors apparently acting upon the “behalf of the people” which pointed out the lack of justice coming through the system.

What is the link between the fall of Suffolk and the Cade Rebellion?

After the Kentish sailors beheaded him, his body washed up on the shore, and rumours had spread that HVI was planning on making Kent a royal estate as punishment, which as a consequence resulted in the Cade Rebellion that same year.

What was the Cade Rebellion?

A rebellion led by Jack Cade (aka John Mortimer) who met in Kent and marched and besieged London. All wanting reform because of; inequalities in England such as unfair taxes, corruption, unfair justice and the losses in France.

Why did Jack Cade call himself “John Mortimer”?

He called himself John Mortimer as it hinted to the DoY’s family line, associated with rebellion and links to the throne. Though he himself had no links whatsoever.

What was the course of events in the Cade Rebellion?

June 1450- men gathered in Kent and chose Cade as their leader.

Mid June 1450- Cade’s army camped out at Blackheath, just outside London. The same ground used in the Peasants Revolt 1381. Royal forces tried to crush them but were ambushed and killed. This was now a direct challenge to the crown.

25 June 1450- HVI panicked and fled London for Kenilworth, Cade saw London was abandoned and occupied Southwark, with reinforcements sieging London.

3 July 1450- Cade’s men fought across the London Bridge, cutting the ropes to keep it open, declaring order and setting up a ‘royal court’ .

Night of 5 July 1450- Cade lost control of his men, rioting, looting etc and at night the Londoners chose to fight back. The Battle of London Bridge lasted through the night, Cade freed prisoners to fight for him and out of desperation they set the bridge alight. In the morning, the gates on the London side were shut, hundreds lay dead, but the rebellion was quelled.

What happened after and any consequences of the Cade Rebellion?

7 July 1450- Pardons offered to rebels, those who didn’t accept were arrested/ executed.

Cade fled to Sussex, where he was captured by the Sheriff of Kent, but did not live to get back to London as he was wounded in the struggle. He was then executed and quartered.

It had completely exposed the weakness of the Monarchy as HVI almost immediately fled to Kenilworth once he heard of the rebellion. He also allowed rebels to hold ‘mock trials’ In his name.

It had also cleared the road for Richard DoY ‘s return from Ireland in September 1450 and to promote himself as the reformer England needed.

Was Cade’s Rebellion seriously dangerous to HVI’s regime?

Yes: it has severely exposed the fragility of the monarchy.

It had been fully armed and regimented, as the Kentish soldiers were armed incase of a French raid/ invasion.

Many of the royal soldiers had chosen to switch sides when defeated, showing a weak leader in the army.

Cade used ‘royal courts’, executing Lord Saye and William Crowmer. Cade executed the kings authority without being the king himself.

Though it did not want the removal of the king, it had demanded major reform (reformist not revolutionary), showing the hollowness of his kingship.

No: Cade never made a claim to the throne or to try replace HVI.

The rebels’ manifesto demanded reform of Gov. not of Kingship

Cade had no noble patrons.

Discipline broke too quick, his men collapsed soon after getting into London, looting homes and bars.

Cade’s occupation only lasted 3 days, by 5-6th they were across the bridge again.

Who was the Earl of Warwick under HVI?

Richard Neville was the Duke of Warwick and also the Captain of Calais from 1455 after the Lancs regime award it to him during DOY’s protectorate. The Garrison he commanded was the closest England had to a standing army, so was ready and available to do his bidding. He had other titles like the Warden of Cinque Ports (from 1457) and Keeper of the seas (from 1460).

Warwick was an expert in Propaganda and knew how to raise alarms about the Lanc regime, particularly the anti Margy Anj sentiment. He uses manifestos very effectively to shed light on the Yorkist cause to the people.

His large popularity had meant that he had become an ‘idol of the multitude’, being worthy of the crown himself. It also meant he had a large retinue, with Warwick bringing along 600 of his own men to the Loveday in 1458.

Why was Calais so important for Warwick and the Yorkists?

As Warwick was captain of Calais, it had given him and his Yorkist allies a safe haven to regroup after any losses. It is also because of the Garrisson that is stationed there as they all have pure loyalty to Warwick, still doing as he bids even after he is stripped of his captaincy in 1459 and still defeated the new Somerset’s efforts to take Calais.

What was the Act of Accords 1460?

The Act of Accord allowed Henry VI to remain king but named Richard, Duke of York, as his successor, excluding Henry’s own son from inheriting the crown. This led to Margy Anj resuming the fight against the Yorkists and led to Richard DoY being killed at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460.

Timeline of the start of the War of the Roses-1461

1454- DoY as Protector, HVI wakes from stupor

1455- 1st Battle of St Albans Yorkist victory, start of war of the roses.

1459- Battle of Ludford Bridge, Lanc victory, Yorkists in exile.

Nov, Parliament of Devils, claimed all Yorkists as traitors.

1460- July, Battle of Northampton, Yorkist victory, HVI captured, Gov and Parliament now under Yorkist control.

October, Act of Accords, sees R DoY as heir, Warwick is fuming.

December, Battle of Wakefield Lanc victory, R DoY killed in battle.

1461- Battle of Towton, Yorkist victory, Ed IV secured throne, HVI and Margy flee to Scotland.

What did Richard DoY try to do to fix the kings finances?

Tried to pass an act of Resumption on land so the King can get higher finance. However many nobles like Somerset refuse.