This document provides a full summary of the chapter of Renewed crisis and Challenges 1449-61. This is the breadth topic in Lancastrians and Yorkists option 30 Edexcel A level history. I used these notes in my mocks to get an A* predicted and have a place at Oxford for history
To what extent did key personalities of Henry VI’s reign affect the governance of England
from 1449 – 1461
The personality of Henry VI
- Henry VI inherited the title of both French and English throne
- Due to being 6 months when he inherited the throne, both countries were governed by
separate councils of adult nobles
- This made Henry’s reign from the beginning politically vulnerable
- Many hoped the young king would prove himself to be active and decisive ruler, this was not
the case
Henry VI; saint or sinner?
- Most contemporaries agree that Henry VI as disastrous, military inept, physically and
mentally feeble, indecisive, easily influenced
- Henry did not take military interest and did not play an active role in leading his men into
battle
- He was often poorly depressed and appeared to take little interest in the normal noble
pursuits
- Inherited very poor royal finances which made him an unimpressive ruler
- Henry was personally devout and very spiritual (as can be seen by him setting up Eton for
priests)
The personality and influence of Margaret of Anjou
- The marriage of Henry to Margaret of Anjou was met with great hostility by english
commentators
- Following considerable struggle in France in early 1440s, a negotiation began with Duke of
Suffolk taking the lead and agreeing to the Treaty of Tours which agreed:
o Two year peace treaty with France
o Henry VI was to marry Margaret of Anjou, the niece of Charles VII of France
o No dowry was to be provided for Margaret and the English had to pay for the whole
cost of the wedding
o England was to surrender the area of Maine to France at the end of the race
- In 1445, 15 year old Margaret became queen and was opposed by a number of noblemen.
This led her to seek support from the pro peace faction at court including Suffolk and
Somerset – this prompted her reputation as a queen who interfered with politics
- Margaret cannot be squirted of self interest and factionalism and she actively opposed York
and from 1453 clearly sought to control the king, seeking regency for herself.
The impact of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou on the governance of England 1449 – 61
- Margaret sought to deliberately isolate York and to stop him having a say in government
whilst also favouring his enemies
- Historians attribute Margaret’s actions largely due to her desire to discourage english attacks
on France
- Her childless state until 1453 was a cause of much criticism and even when she birthed
Prince Edward the occasion was marred by the fact that Henry VI had fallen into a type of
coma
- During Henry’s inability to reign during his period of incapacity Margaret argued she should
be regent
- Her request was opposed by parliament both due to her nationality and sex
- Therefore in March 1454, York was appointed protector of the realm, this led to the isolation
of the queen as well as the imprisonment of Somerset
, - Henry’s recovery during the Christmas of 1454 and in February 1455 York was relieved of his
duties, to the relief of Margaret
- The factions alienated under York were rejuvenated and the first blows of civil war occurred
in May 1455 at the First Battle of St Albans where York, supported by the Nevilles, took up
arms against Henry VI, Somerset and the Percies.
- This battle was a resounding victory for the Yorkists with Somerset being killed and the king
captured and brought to London.
- Richard and his supporter heavily emphasised that they were loyal subjects who only wished
to rid the king of his ‘evil councillor’
- A carefully planned ceremony took place on 25 th May 1455 where Henry was reinstated as
king and the Yorkists took vows of loyalty
o It was clear Richard and his supporters now intended to control the monarch
o Key political appointments were given to his supporters
o The parliament of July was supportive of these measures and by November 1455, as
Henry’s health deteriorated, York was again reinstated as the protector of the realm.
- Margaret remained hostile toward York during this period and sought to undermine his
position
o By 1456, Margaret’s faction ensured that York was removed from his role as
Protector
o There was an attempt at reconciliation in 1458 between the two sides with a public
ceremony called ‘Loveday.’ The queen and York walked arm-in-arm at a ceremony at
St Paul’s in an attempt to show contrition and a love of peace
o This is believed to be the doing of Henry VI and reflects his spiritual and impractical
look on medieval politics
- The reconciliation was short lived with the two sides coming to arms at Ludford Bridge in
1459
o Learning of the size of the army opposing him, York and his allies fled and went into
exile in Ireland
Parliament of devils
- The subsequent parliament at Coventry, after York fled, was packed with Lancastrian
supporters was vicious in its revenge against York, Salisbury and Warwick
- This meeting condemned the leading Yorkists to death in their absence and also completely
disinherited them and their heirs
- The session also included all the lords recognising Price Edward as Henry VI’s heir and taking
an oath of loyalty to him
- The severity of the action in Coventry backfired with York more eager than ever to gain
control of England
- York gained considerable support in Ireland and made plans for a coordinated attack on
England with his eldest son Edward, earl of March and Warwick.
The invasion of England 1460
- Warwick and Edward invaded in June 1460, landing in Kent, and were highly successful,
defeating Lancastrian forces marshalled by Prince Edward and the queen at the battle of
Northampton on 10th of July
- They professed loyalty to Henry and once again claimed only to wish him of evil councillors
- York did not join the cause until September
o He then claimed the throne for himself and while negotiations occurred between
parliament Margaret and Prince Edward regrouped in Yorkshire to plan the next
assault
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