Chapter 2 What did York want to achieve on his Why did the 1452 attempted coup fail? Did Henry VI’s illness cause problems for government? What was the reaction to the birth of Henry VI’s heir?
return from Ireland? • York turned down opportunity to join king’s • Not until Aug 1453 that there was any sign of • Edward, Prince of Wales born on 13 Oct 1453.
• York tried to travel through North Wales to council at Coventry in Sept 1451, choosing to mental illness. On 23 Oct York as encouraged by York no longer heir presumptive since son is born.
reach England in Sept 1450 but was men from return to Ludlow in Welsh marches instead supporters to attend council and was in London Margaret showed favour in Somerset by having in
men of the king’s household. York claimed they • Help of his chamberlain, Oldhall, York organized the following month. heavily involved in the christening
tried to stop his progress and imprison him. York pro-York demonstrations and gathering of armed • From Aug 1453 to Jan 1455 H seemed oblivious – • 23 Nov, Somerset was arrested and sent to the
headed to London via the welsh Marches where support. Issued propaganda as letters to say he incapable of speech etc. Some potential causes: Tower, possibly for own safety – never brought to
he could strengthen his military entourage. wants to get rid of evil advisers and proclaim news of death of great English warrior, John Talbot trial, suggesting there was little legal validity to
• York was anxious to clear his name of being part loyalty at Battle of Castillion and loss of Gascony; strain ofclaim made against him by Norfolk of treason over
of the rebellion due to his name Mortimer. The • Causes: wanted to act against enemies before large amount of travelling; pressures of MofA’s his failures in the French campaigns
fact he was returning to London with an armed they act against him – no evidence Somerset was first pregnancy; hereditary condition – his • Margaret was fearful for her son’s inheritance and
following of around 3,000 men didn’t help – even going to; York seeking removal of Somerset grandfather, Charles VI was insane was determined York shouldn’t be appointed
looked like treason due to his failures in France; Also he was in ‘his’ • 24 Aug 1453, party of Nevilles were attacked near regent and she tried to claim it herself but had
• As York travelled to London he exchanged a position of power – now using force; Henry’s York by over 700 Percy followers – king didn’t step little support – only Viscount Baumont supported
series of public letters with the king – favouritism and failure to act against Somerset in and council lacked confidence to act firmly her. This was probably because she was female,
sophisticated propaganda – to win support • Only towns where Oldhall or his ally the Earl of • Nevilles turned to Duke of York, thus giving him her nationality and England’s limited experience of
among commons and lords – emphasised loyalty Devon were the lords, saw risings in York’s noble support he needed. Council tried to keep his female leadership
but was saying how evil councilors like Somerset support; not even Kent rose – Kentish men feared illness quiet but Cardinal Kemp, Archbishop of • 27 March 1454 York named Protector and
needed to be replaced retribution on scale of Cade’s rebels. Canterbury and chancellor of England in March Defender of England. Not long after, the great
• York may have also returned as he wanted his • Marched from Ludlow to London with William 1454, brought things to a head. Two days later, offices of state were filled with men nominated by
loans repaid – was owed £26,000 by govt Courtenay, earl of Devon and Lord Cobham, York app Protector and Defender of the Kingdom – York. The Earl of Salisbury, York’s brother in law,
• He thought he should be king’s senior adviser issuing propaganda and gave oath of allegiance in 27 March 1454 became Chancellor
and wanted to protect his position as heir Jan 1452. No other nobility supported him and • 12 councilors had visited Henry to ask who he
presumptive. He also thought Somerset didn’t London shut its gates. The king with army, incl wanted as Archbishop of Canterbury and
deserve that position as he had failed with Buckingham, Warwick, Salisbury met York in Chancellor but got no response
Normandy and with it, much of York’s property Dartford in Kent on 2 March. York bent down and
• Nov 1450 – protests and Somerset attacked – gave list of complaints about Somerset to Henry
wanted him charged with treason and blamed but didn’t work – had to swear oath of allegiance
him for Normandy – Somerset placed in tower infront of Somerset there – humiliating.
for own safety – Dec 1450 • Failed to remove Somerset but king had agreed to
• End of Sept 1450, York made public statement set up a panel to look into personal problems
calling for traitors to be brought to justice and between Y&S but nothing came of it
he asserted loyalty to crown – offered personal • York was to remain isolated from court for next
assistance to help solve issues of law and order 18 months. Lack of success: situation in 1452 very
• Henry then offered York to join his council of different to 1450 –economy recovering, situation
advisers who would then discuss the allged with France going well, parliament voted tax to be
treasons – York not only adviser but now one of paid to king and H active in overseeing justice in
many south England. Majority of nobility didn’t support
• Some think he returned to take throne – man York; Kent didn’t rise; York’s tactic of propaganda
was hanged in Ipswich for plotting to put York on warned the king and had time to get army;
throne and one of Moleyns’ murderers had London remained loyal; York’s actions looked like
threatened to put York on throne infront of king treason; popular discontent had eased
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