Henry VI 1422-71

Henry takes responsibility for English and French thrones

1437

Duke of Suffolk steady advisor to King

1440s

Treaty of Tours

1444

Marriage to Margaret of Anjou

1445

Downfall of Duke of Suffolk

1450

Cade’s rebellion

1450

Treaty of Tours (4)

• Truce with France

• Henry VI to marry Margaret of Anjou

• English had to pay for cost of wedding - no dowry

• Maine to be surrendered by England to France

Marriage to Margaret of Anjou (1)

Many viewed union as unpatriotic, Margaret had to seek support with Somerset and Suffolk

1450 DOWNFALL OF DUKE OF SUFFOLK (8)

He was already unpopular

• 1444 Negotiated treaty of tours

• 1449 Encouraged French attack that resulted in French retaliation and consequent loss of Normandy (York lost land)

• Accused of Financial mismanagement of taxes raised for war in France (York one of main creditors owed money by the crown)

• Accused of Arranging marriage between his son and Margaret Beaufort - would allow his son to challenge York’s claim to the throne

Suffolk charged with treason and placed in the tower

King reluctant to oppose him and cleared him of all charges - still banished him for five years

Suffolk left for France but Ship intercepted by a privateering ship, subjected to a mock trial and eventually beheaded

Cade’s rebellion - Causes (4)

• Supported getting York to his ‘rightful place on the throne’

• Lord Saye and William Crowmer lead open rebellion against government to avenge for the dead body of Suffolk washing up on their shores

• Caused widespread insurrection across south

• Anger at financial corruption of Lord Saye and taxes for unsuccessful wars in France

Cade’s rebellion - Events (6)

• Many leading figures in Henry’s govt punished by rebels

• Rebels set up camp by London, Henry’s delegated peacemaker rejected by rebels forcing King to march against rebels himself

• Rebels reemerge to ambush and kill a group of the King’s men, situation exacerbated by mutiny in ranks of the royal army

• Lord Saye imprisoned in the tower

• Kings fled to Warwickshire whilst the royal council took refuge in the tower. +Lord Saye beheaded by Rebels

• Henry’s weakness shown when londoners fought rebels not royal army

Cade’s Rebellion - Rebel’s grievances (3)

• Duke of York had been deliberately and unfairly excluded from government

• Norfolk, Exeter + Buckingham on royal council

• There should be access to the King through petitioning

Cade’s Rebellion - Result of rebellion (5)

• Initial promise of clemency towards rebels

• 1451 Henry toured the country enforcing law and order through executions

• Cade captured and killed

• Threat reduced by the fact Duke of York was in Ireland

• Uprising of this magnitude was unusual, highlighting weakness of King Henry VI