Wars of the Roses - Edward's first reign (chapter 4)

How did Edward fund his army

London was pro-Yorkist, gave him around £8,000; borrowed money from merchants and religious houses (they had been angry at Lancastrian rule)

What statement did E issue on 6th March 1461

All supporters of Henry who joined him would be pardoned - unless income above 100 marks a year. Trying to gain support and divide the rich and the ordinary

How did E recruit men

supported by Louis XI (future) king of France, troops from Burgundy, had around 50,000 troops

How many died at Towton

around 28,000

Reasons for victory at Towton

leadership, lancastrian weakness, weather, luck

Edward vs Henry on commanding their army

E was on the front line inspiring his troops with speeches and coming up with strategies for victory; Henry did not fight because it was Palm Sunday

Lancastrian weakness

Not ready for Norfolk’s arrival, fled instead of defending. Fired arrows but wind was too powerful, broke the bridge meaning they were trapped

Weather factor in Towton

Wind meant that the Lancastrians missed their shots, Lancastrians blinded by snow

Edward’s actions towards Warwick after Towton

Gave him full military control - he managed to capture rebel fortresses in the North, crushed threats and rebellions. Warwick made great Chamberlain, Chief Steward of the Duchy of Lancaster and admiral of England.

How was Edward lenient towards Lancastrian families

Somerset and Sir Ralph Percy forgiven and castles restored

French attacked Channel Islands (which King)

1461 - Charles

When was Sir Ralph Percy found to be in league with rebels

1462

Margaret’s actions in November 1462

Invaded the North from Scotland - funded and approved by Louis XI (new King of France). Margaret had promised to hand over Calais.

Outcome of Margaret’s invasion

Failed and she fled to france

Edward’s relations with Louis XI after M’s invasion

signed a truce in 1463 - French would stop funding Lancastrians

English relations with Scotland

Truce with Scotland in 1463 - forced Henry to leave Edinburgh

What did Somerset do in 1464

Led resistance and tried to inspire rebellion

Battle of Hedgley Moor

1464 - Montagu defeats Lancastrians, Ralph Percy killed

Battle of Hexham

1464 - Montagu again defeats Lancastrian resistance, Somerset is executed

How did Edward make himself seem the legitimate King

used Parliament to rewrite history

Were Henry and Edward a threat

Not alone, Henry was passive and Edward too young. But could be figureheads for Lancastrian cause - without them Lancastrians had no claim to throne

Margaret’s actions threatening Edward

Wanted to get Edward (her son) on the throne. Supported for a while by France and Scotland

How did Scotland (and who) support Margaret

Mary of Guelders ruling Scotland as regent - provided shelter and military aid. Agreed to the betrothal of her daughter Margaret to Edward (Prince of Wales), in return Berwick given to Scotland. Also paid for Margaret’s passage to the continent in 1463.

Edward’s early foreign policy

Defeated Scottish invasion - led to truce in 1463; Charles VII died and replaced by Louis XI - benefitted Edward; had support of Philip of Burgundy - led to truce with Louis in 1463

How did Edward use patronage

Not much available, most went to the Nevilles - John Neville became Lord Montagu. William Herbert made Earl of Pembroke, Hastings made a baron. Edward made people with no titles become noblemen - would be more loyal.

Henry captured

1465

Edward’s allies

Warwick, Nevilles, Herbert, Hastings, (new) Earl of Essex, Montagu, Duke of Clarence, Duke of Gloucester

Edward’s patronage towards Hastings

made King’s Chamberlain; given lands in the midlands; made a Baron

How were the royal finances when Edward came to the throne

Insolvent crown, under Henry VI income had been just over 1/3 of early C15 income, trade declined, less income from customs

Edward’s general financial policy

known as ‘merchant King’, took charge of some of England’s wool trade, trade treaties including one with Burgundy in 1467, protectionism - limited exports of corn in 1463 and manufactured goods from 1464-66

Edward and royal estates

Edward squeezed money out of the crown lands - as profitable as possible, appointed administrations to oversee rent and increase if necessary

Money through exchequer

Edward began process of bringing money directly through his household to his chamber, bypassing the Exchequer which was slow, inefficient, often embezzled

When did Edward call for a tax

1462 to fight the Scots, 1468 to fight the French. But there was no war with France so he kept the money.

Who did Edward marry

Elizabeth Woodville, married before to John Grey and had two sons, was a commoner

Elizabeth’s family history

Her late husband had fought in Margaret’s army at St Albans, and her father had fought for Henry at Towton

Patronage towards Woodvilles

Richard Woodville made Earl Rivers, and Lord Treasurer (previously Warwick’s uncle); sisters married Buckingham, Pembroke, and brother married Catherine Neville; Thomas Grey (Elizabeth’s son) made Marquis of Dorset, Richard Grey given some of Elizabeth’s land

What alliance was Warwick aiming to make

French alliance

What did Edward do instead for an alliance

1467 - made an alliance with Philip, 1468 - married his sister off to Charles (Philip the Good’s eldest son)

Why did Edward also made an alliance with Brittany

anti-French foreign policy - quite popular as nobility were still anti-French, trade going well with Burgundy, independent from Warwick

Warwick and Louis’ reaction

Warwick was extremely angry and Louis was worried about this alliance. Louis orchestrated deal between Margaret and Warwick

Rebellions against Edward

1469 - Yorkshire rebellions in Reedsdale and Holderness, 1470 - Lincolnshire

What references were there in the rebellions

Robin Hood - leaders referred to as ‘Robin of Reedsdale’ or ‘Robin Mend-all’

Warwick involvement in rebellions

Sir William Conyers part of some - assumed that Warwick was paying him

Grievances of the rebellions

Taxes and favouritism - nobility angry at exclusion in favour of Woodvilles

Philip the Good dies and replaced by his son Charles the Rash

1467

Clarence’s involvement in overthrowing Edward

Warwick proposed Clarence marry his daughter Isabel, Edward disapproved, but Archbishop of York (Warwick’s brother) wrote to the Pope to override royal permission, Edward found out and sacked the Archbishop

Clarence married Isabel Neville - when and where

1469 - Calais

Reasons for Warwick turning against Edward

Began favouring Woodvilles, Herbert made Pembroke - Warwick wanted lieutenancy of South Wales, Hastings given control of the Duchy of Lancaster, George Neville demoted, forgave Percy family

Rumours spread by Warwick and Clarence

Edward IV was illegitimate, Woodvilles were corrupt

Warwick’s actions 1469

Declares intent to ‘rescue’ England. His supporters defeat Pembroke at Edgecote and Rivers, Pembroke, and John Woodville executed. Warwick captures Edward and tries to rule ‘for him’. Forced to release Edward because he couldn’t control the North.

Edward’s reaction to Warwick and Clarence

forgave them, neither of them punished, but he remained wary

Attempted uprising in Lincolnshire by Warwick and Clarence - when and outcome

1470 - they are defeated and they flee to France

Deal made between Warwick and Margaret - 2nd time

Anne Neville would marry Prince Edward, Warwick would act as Henry’s regent, Clarence would inherit if Edward died without an heir

Warwick’s invasion - when

1460

Warwick’s invasion - events

Organised rising in the North as a distraction, landed in the southwest while Edward went North. Nobles announced support for Henry. Edward fled to the Low Countries, Henry released from tower and formally ‘readepted’.