These in depth + high quality notes are based off the Edexcel A Level History, Paper 3: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII ActiveBook. I have covered the years in both depth and breadth aspects and have included high graded essay plans for each topic with evaluation and judgement, which is nee...
.cLancastrians and Yorkists timeline and important people
Lancastrians reigns
- Richard II (1377 - 1399) (1)
- Henry IV (1399 - 1413) (2)
- Henry V (1413 - 1422) (3)
- Henry VI (1422 - 61) (4)
- Henry VI (1470 - 71) (6)
Yorkists reigns
- Edward IV (1461 - 70) (5)
- Edward IV (1471 - 83) (7)
- Edward V (1483) (8)
- RIchard III (1483 - 85) (9)
Depth 1 The crises of 1399-1405
(1) Richard II - troublesome, extremely young king, promising family history
How accurate is it to say that Richard II was solely responsible for the
loss of his throne in 1399?
1381 - Peasants Revolt
- Armed peasants stormed London, as R imposed tax on everyone over 14, despite their
income)
- Richard famously negotiated with peasants, who wanted freedom, promised to abolish
serfdom (peasants under feudalism)
1382 - Richards Marriage to Anne (French)
- Arranged by Micheal la Pole to gain support for England in 100 yrs war
- BUT no military alliance given, public criticism as R payed high cost + his generosity
Generosity
- William de la Pole + Robert de Vere
- William became earl of Suffolk in 1385
- Despite Robert being widely disliked, he received a new rank of marquess created for him
+ made Duke of Ireland in 1386
- Led him into royal debt - had to fund war in France
- Alienated John of Gaunt, his own uncle
War with France
- Lack of military leadership (unsuccessful war) + was not fussed
- Spent childhood in France (SUS)
- First campaign (1385) refused to fight beyond Edinburgh = bitter quarrel with John
,- John = Senior noble + left Eng to pursue Castillian claims to the throne
1386 - The Wonderful Parliament
- Parli demanded de la Pole be removed, R refused to discuss
- They threatened to not grant tax + dissolve if he did not come
- R then threatens he grant help from France
- Nobes reminded R they could dispose of King who alientes and R gave in + sat in Parli
- He breached la Pole’s imprisonment BUT royal finances were put under control
1386 - Lords Appellent
- Five nobles, (Gloucester, Arundel, Warwick, Bolingbroke and Nottingham)
- Accused treason against Kings favourites
1387 - Radcot Bridge
- Battle with Lord Appellants
- De la Pole + De Vere fled (support GONE)
1388 - Merciless Parliament
- His favourites were put on trial for treason = De la Pole/Vere were sentenced to death +
other supporters executed
- Bolingbroke’s involvement in this act CAUSED MISTRUST (Gaunts return and B’s military
success meant great danger to R)
1394 Anne's death
- Produced no heir, her death deeply affected him + possibly contributed to his mental
instability/tyranny
- Married Isabella (Fra’s King daughter) - V YOUNG so could not produce an heir
- Marriage brought 29 yr truce + reduced hostilities
Tyranny 1397 -99
- R threatened to request France assistance against those who rebelled against him (during
marriage with Isabella ensure a promise this would happen
- 1397 Ordered ⅗ appellants to be tried for treason (believed they were plotting)
- Gaunt + Bolingbroke kept close to the King at the time to consolidate their position
- Archers who acted as bodyguards to King (extremely suspicious)
- 1398 R put Bolingbroke in exile for ten yrs
1399 Henry returned and attempted to rightfully claim Gaunt’s (his fathers)
inheritance, but R disallowed it.
- Henry Support with FRA King’s bros
- Richard in Ireland, FRA King EXTREMELY MENTALLY UNSTABLE, so bros took over +
Henry could plan invasion on England
1399 Hen’s invasion
- Landed in East Yorkshire + had support (was meant to be opposed by Duke Of York but
was instead supported)
- Richard did not return to Eng immediately (DISASTROUS)
,- His allies fled and left him (learning of H’s growing support) + Henry seized King’s jewels
- R sent two supports (arrested by Hen)
September 1399 - EVENTUALLY, Henry seized the throne + R imprisoned
Feb 1400 - Richard’s death
Why was Bolingbroke able to seize throne
- B knew he would have support as R disinheriting B came with HUGE criticism
- Aim = possible revenge?
- Risky (how R dealt with Lord Appellants) BUT B WAS POPULAR
- R being in Ireland (MASSIVE MISTAKE)
- Duke of York was willing to support an usurper + NOT THE KING (demonstrative of R’s
unpopularity among noblemen
-Exposed tendency to restrain nobles lands w/o just cause
Conclusion of his rule
Yes, completely his fault BUT was not an easy reign. He was a child monarch who had been
influenced by councillors and faced unrest during his time. Peasants revolt which he dealt
with successfully himself as well as Lords Appellant. He has a strong family heritage of his
father being the Black Prince with a strong military strength, meaning he had a lot of
expectations for him. HOWEVER, his tendency of tyranny and favouritism did not favour him
in any shape or form.
(2) Henry IV - dealt with many conflicts, controversy, usurper
Henry IV struggled to maintain his hold on the throne in the years
1399–1405.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
Problems arising in 1399
- Bolingbroke stated R voluntary resigned from kingship when told he could not rule due to
his inefficiency and expressed hope that Henry should be next King
- UNLIKELY - apparent that Henry forcibly took the throne from Richard was going to be A
CLEAR PROBLEM FOR STABILITY
Richard’s accusations - NO ONE COULD NOW TRUST HIM BUT OBVS WRITTEN BY
HIS OPPS + THOSE WHO DON’T TRUST HIM
- Weighty taxes for his own personal advantage
- Treatment of Lord Appellants (resentment towards them in 1397 - had prev pardoned them)
- Seizing land from his subjects w/o justification
- Failing to pay back loans
, - Unmerciful treatment of Duke of Lancaster
- Important that there were overwhelming reasons for the removal of R (as H’s actions were
effectively against God)
Henry’s claim to the throne
- Shaky
- Edmund Mortimer also had potential claim - threat BUT V YOUNG
- DANGEROUS CLAIM TO THE THRONE
- RISK - as Mortimr family were v powerful and supported by Wales - SO made Edmund
royal wards and moved them to Windsor Castle (could keep an eye on them)
- HOWEVER unsuccessful as captured by Owain Glynder and claimed Henry IV had no
claim to throne
Revolt + Richard’s death
- When H crowned he made his son, Prince Of Wales (security)
- Henry was to revert R’s decisions taken in 1397 - 8 and promised to only ask for taxes
during times of war (H recognised Parliament’s frequent criticism of R’s taxes) POLITICALLY
USEFUL
- 1400 Epiphany Rising = RICHARD SUPPORTERS (Earl of Kent, Salisbury + Sir
Dispenser)
- Plan to murder Henry + his sons at traditional celebration
- PLOT FAILED as Henry was warned and fled
- BUT PLOT ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE SUPPORT
- CLEAR that R’s reign was unpopular and widely disliked
- Leaders all found and executed and some rebels even killed by local people
Richards death
- Starved on Bolingbroke’s orders (most probably)
- Body brought to London with his face displayed - PREVENT RUMOURS OF
SUBSTITUTION
- Buried honourably - but not in the tomb he created
OVERALL - HENRY IV DIFFICULTIES
PARA 1 - Shaky claim to the throne and nature of being an usurper
- BUT overcame this with powerful political skills, SUCH AS NOT ASKING FOR TAX
UNLESS WAR and was wary not to make the same mistakes as his predecessors 1937-8
Parliament which was extremely controversial.
He was evidently different to Richard as he able to portray mercy (Richard had little care for
justice)
PARA 2 - Henry IV was a skilled king and therefore naturally overcame issues
Strong military stance as the Epiphany rising was quashed effectively.
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