Chapter 1 How was England governed in What problems did the nobility cause, 1445-50? What problems did Henry VI’s advisers cause? How well did Henry VI manage his financial resources?
1445? • Duke of Gloucester was Henry’s uncle and heir • Suffolk seen as taking advantage of king’s • Poor financial position; had limited resources and
• Local govt organized nobles + gentry in each presumptive, died in 1447 and Duke of York weakness for his own benefit; wasting king’s was heavily in debt as consequence of financing a
county – played crucial part in making local replaced that role – York was probably greatest money on land + titles for himself + he was not long war with France; slump in European trade
govt work landowner in country so hated any other nobles close family or high rank noble; blamed for which seriously impacted on England’s ability to
• Royal household Royal court would keep king who took his influence away from Henry financial corruption + encouraging King of France make money
entertained; Royal officials (around 250, 2 • Despite York’s large income of £5000 p.a, wages to wage war on England. Was even accused of • Showed lack of judgement in patronage from start
groups of The Chancery and the Exchequer); and debts owed to him were £26000 having affair with Queen and was taken advantage of by household
the Council; Parliament • William de la Pole was king’s favourite and • Many thought Suffolk was preventing Gloucester members. Two of his most generous examples of
+ York from advising the king patronage were endowments of Eton and King’s
• Nobility provided king with military support; dominated govt even though he wasn’t
• He was criticised for foreign policy which is unfair College in 1440 and 1443
king in charge of justice system; by C15th, king particularly high up in social pecking order. Made
– nobles looked to France to provide younger • Two ways which patronage caused issues: he
won control of church and could use Statute of Lord Chamberlain in 1447
sons with properties + income and looked to the couldn’t afford to be generous as he couldn’t cover
Provisors to prevent Pope appointing who he • Disputes between nobles about land increased costs of his own household and had to borrow
and king didn’t do anything so hiring of lawyers to govt to provide money for campaigns to reverse
wanted or Statute of Praemunire to prevent from nobility. In Parliament, commons wanted him
people appealing to the Pope investigate claims was widespread, some even the losses. Given the dismal state of crown
finances, such campaigns weren’t feasible and to reverse some grants & in 1450 an Act of
• Henry VI king in 1422 at 9 months, council resorting to violence resumption was passed to reclaim some back. Not
parliament was most reluctant to vote any more
governed on his behalf until he was 16 – • Other powerful nobles incl Buckingham and successful since Henry still wanted to make
taxes for war
smallest minority ever Warwick and like York, they were major exceptions. A further act was required the
• But, he and his followers did get a great deal of
• People expected a lot from him as his father landowners of the reign – obsessed with land and land, wealth and positions. Around him were following year which probed more successful at
was the great leader Henry V having high status Beaumont, the Bishops of Salisbury and regaining royal property
• Scotland allied with France; king had no • Gloucester was appalled at Truce of Tours 1444 Chichester and Lord Saye – would benefit greatly. • 2) the reasons he gave out patronage – did it out
standing army to restrain Scots; his influence since he wanted a major campaign in France but The two bishops were murdered in 1450 due to of personal generosity, not to strengthen own
stopped at York Henry, Suffolk, York and others wanted peace. their part in govt and in reaction to losses in position. Not just Suffolk’s affinity and Henry’s
• King’s control in Ireland extended no further Rumours that Suffolk had him killed – he was France household that benefitted but Buckingham, York
than ‘The Pale’ – area around Dublin. Outside arrested for treason • Commons was angry at the grants when taxes and Gloucester too. Too much patronage was
the Pale were Anglo-Irish lords, if suited them, • Manor of Paston family was forcibly taken over by voted for the war were being used to pay debts given to certain individuals, ie Suffolk – led to
would offer allegiance to British king; but Robert Hungerford, Lord Moleyns, on behalf of his owed by the crown to members of royal dominance of one faction causing problems
outside the area were the Gaelic Chieftains – wife. Manor had been returned but Paston household especially in the localities where there were
tribes, savages who rejected King’s authority wanted punishment. Since Moleyns was member • French captured Normandy, so Suffolk blamed complaints about a lack of justice ie. from Paston
of Suffolk faction, they were bound to lose due to • Suffolk was untruthful – fact that Maine was to be family in East Anglia
• France quite weak at this time, not united, lots
handed over to French as part of marriage • King relied heavily on income from crown lands
of different provinces. corruption allowed by king.
agreement between H and MofA was initially kept but these had decreased (partly due to patronage.)
• Local quarrels got out of hand in 1440s due to • Complaints of injustice and violence were • Income from customs revenues had lost more than
lack of royal control – ie. Coutenays and becoming increasingly widespread towards end of secret eventhough in Parliament of 1445 Suffolk
denied there were any secret details. When £10,000 according to Hicks from 1421-1446-8.
Bonvilles running through 50s. 1440s prompted by actions of nobles such as: Parliament was increasingly reluctant to grant
• Lord Saye and William Crowmer in Kent; William people found out they were furious
• People aimed their blame at Henry’s advisors taxes, especially as the war was going badly and
Tailboys, under protection of Viscount Beaumont • Suffolk also took law into his own hands when he,
and people around him instead of the king for king found it difficult to obtain loans
along with Viscount Beaumont protected William
fear of treason in Lincolnshire; Courtenays and Bonvilles in south- • Peace not long lived when an English force
Tailboys from prosecution for murder
• Bastard feudalism – lords could hire retainers west; Percy earls of Northumberland and • Parliament of Nov 1449 blamed Suffolk for losses attacked Fougeres in March 1449 with approval of
and would receive salary, not land. Archbishop of York in north in France and demanded his arrest - charged with both Suffolk and Somerset: the French response
• Was deeply religious and wasted money and • Probems caused by nobility are closely connected treason + sent to Tower in Jan 1450 – was exiled was to attack Normandy
made too many patronages and rewards to problems caused by his advisors as they were for 5 years from May 1 but as he was leaving • Commons made minimal grant and demanded Act
members of nobility England he was beheaded by pirates near Dover of Resumption take place before more grants
made
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