How significant was the First Battle of St Albans in the power struggle between the
Houses of Lancaster and York in the years 1455 to 1459? (25 marks)
The First Battle of St Albans, fought on May 22, 1455, was the first major conflict in the Wars of
the Roses, a series of English civil wars fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York in the
15th century. The battle marked a significant turning point in the power struggle between the two
houses, as it resulted in the capture and execution of several leading Lancastrian figures,
including Henry VI's chief advisor, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. This essay will examine
the significance of the First Battle of St Albans in the power struggle between the Houses of
Lancaster and York in the years 1455 to 1459.
To understand the significance of the First Battle of St Albans, it is important to first examine the
context in which it occurred. In the 15th century, the English monarchy was in a state of crisis.
The long reign of Henry VI, who had come to the throne as an infant, had been marked by political
instability and military defeats. Henry was seen as weak and ineffectual, and his advisors,
particularly the powerful Duke of Somerset, were widely disliked. The king's mental health was
also a concern, and he had suffered several bouts of illness that had left him incapacitated. This
led to a power vacuum at the center of the English government, which was filled by a group of
rival factions, most notably the Houses of Lancaster and York.
The House of Lancaster, which had been in power since the early 1400s, was led by Henry VI and
his Queen, Margaret of Anjou. The Lancastrians were supported by the powerful Beaufort family,
as well as other noble houses such as the Percys and the Cliffords. The House of York, on the
other hand, was led by Richard, Duke of York, who had a strong claim to the throne through his
descent from Edward III. The Yorkists were supported by other noble houses such as the Nevilles
and the Mowbrays.
Tensions between the two houses had been simmering for some time, but they came to a head
in the mid-1450s. The Duke of York had become increasingly dissatisfied with the state of the
kingdom, and he saw an opportunity to seize power. He began to assemble an army and to rally
support from other noble houses, including the powerful Neville family. The Lancastrians,
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