3 how peaceful was england 1455-9

Evidence of open hostility in England

Evidence that England was relatively peaceful

In 1455 the Courtenays and Bonvilles—rival noble families in Devon—were locked in a violent feud rooted in competition for regional power and offices, especially the lucrative control of Exeter and royal favour. The Courtenays, led by Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon, attacked Bonville properties and murdered Bonville’s ally Nicholas Radford, escalating tensions. After the murder of Nicholas Radford (1455), Henry ordered arrests and investigations, but the Earl of Devon and his supporters were only briefly imprisoned and soon released—showing the king’s weakness.

Wales: Edmund Tudor seized a castle from Yorks men but they managed to recapture it and Tudor died leaving his wife s widow

There was attempts on life from the Yorkists and Lancastrians such as Warwick by Exeter, Shrewsbury and Somerset

Warwick openly defied the government when asked to answer charges of piracy

The heirs if those killed at st Albans were seeking revenge, MoA and York were sworn enemies, government controlled by protector because HVI was too sick, MoAs government threw all York appointed men out, no trust between sides so armed soldiers frequently used, Warwick's actions made others side with the queen, the queen believed she had enough support to destroy Yorkists, York thought he could destroy Lancastrians as he could trust the military once again thanks to the Nevilles

London: There was tension and fear of attacks as well as MoA moving away out of fear and HVI moving with her to Kenilworth. There were also attacks on foreign traders

There was tension throughout the nation due to the behaviour of the Yorkists and Lancastrians but there was no conflict so there was relative peace

A loveday happened where the two rival sides had to walk arm in arm to st Pauls in London which became a day of peace, York and the Nevilles agreed to pay for a chantry and the Percies and Cliffords would receive compensation