“It was Ultimately the loss of Normandy in 1450 that brought about unrest and the outbreak of wars of the roses” (copy)

1. No- It was Henrys weaknesses

• Henry was ill, incompetent and controlled by others such as advisors or Margaret

• An unstable Monarchy led to lawlessness and instability within society

• Henry’s weaknesses was the cause of loss of land in Normandy- peace loving nature

• 1444- treaty of Tours- loses Maine and Anjou

• Henry clearly incapable of ruling effectively due to peace loving nature

Paragraph 2) Factional Rivalries

• Outbreak of war of roses was essentially just a series of private feuded

• couldn’t have just been loss of land in Normandy as there were other factors that caused tensions

• It was Henrys responsibility to maintain peace between feuds but he just exacerbated the problems

• Created enmity between York and Somerset- Henry failed to pay York and released Somerset from tower as well as reforms made by Henry

Paragraph 3) Loss of Land in Normandy

• Angered English people and made the government seem incompetent

• 5,000 English soliders were returning home

• Many of soliders joined Jack Cade Rebellion in 1450

• However:

• Motivation of Jack Cade Rebellion was not just because of loss of land in France but because of the incompetency of government

• Rebels blamed evil advisors, the fact Henry didnt act on demands is what caused unrest

• Loss of land caused further enmity between York and Somerset and York blamed somerset since he was lieutenant- Henry failed to deal with this

Conclusion:

Henry’s weaknesses were the cause of unrest and the outbreak of wars of the roses