Origins of Conflict

• What were the 5 principle causes of the WOR's

  • Baronial factions (over-mighty subjects)
  • Henry VI (under-mighty king)
  • Collapse of English power in France
  • English economic factors/matters
  • Cades Rebellion
• Long term cause of WORs

  Deposition of Richard II by Henry Bollingbroke in 1399 - precedent that it was okay to usurp a monarch
• How old was Henry VI when he was put on the throne?

  Henry VI was on the throne from 9 months old in 1422
• What happened in Henry VI's minority government?

  Henry's minority government:

  • French resumed 100 years war - John Duke of Bedford in charge
  • 1429 - French increase in military strength (crowned the Dauphin Charles VII)
  • December 1431 - Henry VI crowned king of France (10 years old)
  • 1435 - Duke of Bedford died & Burgundy defected to French
  • Humphrey Duke of Gloucester (Henry's Uncle)= protector of the realm
• Treaty of Tours

  • Treaty of Tours - 1444
  • Peace with France until 1449 - opposed by Humphrey Duke of Gloucester
  • Marriage with Margaret of Anjou with no dowry - unpopular
  • Agreed to give back Maine - strategically vital territory
• What happened in France during Henry's minority?

  • War with France resumed in 1449 due to the advice of the Duke of Sulfolk
  • Loss of Normandy in 1450
  • Loss of Gascony in 1451
  • English defeat in July 1453
  • Longer war = greater burden on taxes at home
  • Royal debt = £372,000 by 1450
• How did war in France cause civil war within England? - Increased factional rivalry

  • Sparked rivalry with York and Somerset from loss of Normandy
  • York was lieutenant general twice - unexpectantly given to Somerset
  • Somerset surrendered Rouen (capital of Normandy) on the 29th of October 1449
  • Somerset left behind hostages and retreated to Caen and surrendered it on the 1st of July 1450
  • This angered York
• How did war with France cause civil war within England? - increased financial difficulty

  • Longer war = greater burden of taxes
  • Crown debt = £372,000
  • York was owed £38,000
  • Regular annual income fell from £120,000 to £45,000 in Henry's reign
  • Annoyed nobles as defeat meant not able to reward loyalty with land in France
• What happened in the Neville-Percy dispute?


  • 1453-1454 2 families erupted into private war - North in turmoil (especially Yorkshire)
  • Percy land given to other nobles during fathers rebellion - (trying to get it back)
  • Some granted to Neville's through marriage
  • Made worse by political divisions in HVI government - younger Percy's
  • Small battle where Percy's attacked a Neville wedding = breakdown in royal authority
  • Ignored all attempts HVI made to broker peace between the 2 families
• What happened with York and Somerset/Suffolk?


  • York was heir presumptive but not trusted by Anjou - thought of having 'kingly ambitions'
  • Excluded from power because Somerset and Suffolk (kings chief advisors) opposed - agreed with Anjou
  • York served twice as kings military advisor in France but was replaced with Somerset
  • York was owed £38,000 for services
  • Appointed lieutenancy of Ireland to silence as debt was unpaid
  • Sommerset and Suffolk blamed for catastrophic defeats in France e.g Rouen
• What happened to Suffolk? (leading to Cade's Rebellion)

  • Suffolk blamed for defeat in France (instrumental role in renewal of the war)
  • Charged with treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London
  • Henry VI intervened and banished him for 5 years
  • His ship was intercepted in channel and he was executed by the crew of Nicholas of the Tower
• What were the causes of the Cade's rebellion?

  • Mismanagement of government
  • Mismanagement of France
  • Growing economic crisis (royal court debt was £372,000 by 1450 and trade halted)
  • Rumours that Suffolk's death was blamed on Kent
• What happened in the Cade's rebellion?

  • A rising starts in Kent and Lord Stafford was ambushed and killed on the 15th June 1450
  • Henry abandons London which allowed rebels to enter
  • The rebels executed Lord Saye and William Cromer
  • London forces them out due to looting (royal pardon issued to rebels except Cade)
• Outcomes and consequences of Cades rebellion

  • Cade's body quartered and displayed on London bridge, Blackheath, Norwich, Salisbury and Gloucester
  • Still sporadic uprisings over the next decade with Cade's army
  • Henry came to none of there demands
• How did the Cade's rebellion contribute to the WOR's

  • Henry VI failed to engage with the general population, respond to crisis of war with France, economic problems and political unrest
  • He left others to respond, not acting for commonwealth of country
• What was York's grievances towards the crown?

  Personal and general:

  • He was Henry VI closest male relative yet excluded from the court
  • Owed £38,000 for services in France
  • Replaced as lieutenant of France and was appointed lieutenant of Ireland
  • Opposed Duke of Somerset and Suffolk and suspicious of Anjou
• What happened in York's return from Ireland in 1450?


  • Left Ireland without permission in September to London with public support and retainers
  • Presented King and parliament with 2 bills of grievances
  • King met some of the grievances E.g York appointed to the royal council, more effective acts of resumptions and promised the establishment of law and order
  • But Somerset dominant in the royal council
  • His debt was unpaid
  • Position as heir not recognised
  • Thomas Young (MP) proposed a bill to recognise York as heir but he was arrested in the Tower of London
• What happened in the Dartford Coup in 1452?


  • After failed attempts to impeach Somerset in Parliament, York decided force was the only choice
  • In February 1452 York's army met the kings army at Dartford
  • The most powerful nobles remained loyal to the king (York had lack of noble support)
  • York was outnumbered and forced to submit so he had to do a public apology saying he was faithful to the king in Saint Paul's Cathedral and take an oath of loyalty
  • Soon after Anjou was pregnant so York no longer heir presumptive
• When was Henry's first catatonic state?

  • In August 1453 Henry lapsed into his first catatonic state for 18 months
  • He was deprived of senses and physical movement
• What happened after Henry VI first catatonic state? Pt.1


  • 13th October 1453 - Birth of Prince Edward however he was not recognised as heir because of the catatonic state
  • Unrest erupted in North due to Nevilles + Percy's wedding
  • Summons by the council were ignored and law was taken into their own hands = Violence
• What happened after Henry's first catatonic state? Pt.2

  • 23rd November 1453 - Somerset arrested to Tower of London for conciliatory move + own protection - was a challenge to Anjou
  • January 1454 - Anjou made plans to become regent appalling the council (now more willing to support York)
  • Feb 1454 - Parliament summoned but attendance was poor (fines imposed) - no one wanted to take sides (fear of retribution)
• When and why did York's first protectorate start?

  • In March 1454 the Archbishop of Canterbury died
  • Someone with royal authority needed to appoint a successor
  • 27th March 1454 York was made Protector
• What did York do as Protectorate?

  • York was a fair and conscientious protector as he:
  • -reduced royal expenditure
  • -introduced reductions in size + expenditure of royal household
  • -started to restore order in the North (Henry hadn't done this)
• What positions did York give his supporters in his first protectorate?

  • Salisbury = Chancellor
  • Thomas Bourchier = Archbishop of Cantenbury
  • York = Captain of Calais (previously Somerset)
  • Ordered Anjou to be removed to Windsor
• What were the nobles opinions of his protectorate?

  • Many great nobles still distrusted him + refused to back his demand to try Somerset for treason (faced hostile parliament)
• When did York's first protectorate end?

  • On the 25th December 1454 Henry VI recovered
  • On the 30th December 1454 York presided over his last meeting of council
• What did Henry do with York and his actions?


  • Within a month York was sidelined again:
  • -Henry took steps to undo all York achieved
  • -Somerset released from Tower + restored Captaincy of Calais and constable of England
  • -Salisbury dismissed as chancellor
  • Somerset + allies rising in prominence -> York and allies left London
• What happened on the 21st April 1455?

  • Henry summoned council meeting -> York + Nevilles not invited
  • York + Nevilles ordered to disband retinues
  • Suspecting an ambush York, Salisbury + Warwick prepared their forces
• What evidence shows the success of York's first protectorate?

  • Reduced expenditure at court
  • Introduced reduction in size + expenditure of royal household
  • Started to restore order in the North
  • Council had all ranges of political opinion
• What evidence shows York alienating in his first protectorate?

  • Took captaincy of Calais from Somerset
  • Ordered Anjou to be removed to Windsor
  • Salisbury made Chancellor
  • Thomas Bourchier made Archbishop of Cantenbury
  • Tried to try Somerset for treason (didn't have noble support)
  • Still didn't have full trust of nobles/parliament
• Why was York to blame for the first battle of St Albans?

  • York led the Dartford Coup
  • 1450 York left Ireland without permission + presented grievances (2 bills)
  • Suspected ambush so prepared their forces
  • Suspicions of Somerset/personal feuds (try for treason + took his positions)
  • Made divisions between the Yorkists and Lancastrians worse
• Why was Henry VI to blame for the first Battle of St albans?


  • Undermighty moarch
  • Favouritism of Somerset + Suffolk
  • Undid all of York's achievements during his protectorate + alienated him
  • Mishandle of Neville/Percy rivalry
  • Forced York + Neville to disband revenues
  • Released Somerset + restored positions
  • Anjou's increased involvement in government
• When and where was the first battle of St Albans?

  • First battle of St Albans - 22nd May 1455
  • In the streets of Albans (the delay of 1 night gave York a chance to see the town)
• Who was the key support of the Yorkists and how big was their forces? (First battle of St Albans)



  Yorkists:

  Size of force: 3000

  Key supporters

  • Duke of York
  • Earl of Salisbury
  • Earl of warwick
• Who was the key support of the Lancastrians and how big was their forces? (First battle of St Albans)


  Lancastrians :

  Size of force: 2000

  Key supporters

  • Somerset
  • Buckingham
  • Northumberland
  • Lord Clifford
  • Henry
  • Anjou
• Brief explanation of what happened at the First battle of St Albans?

  • Last minute attempt to reach compromise
  • York affirmed loyalty but demanded arrest of Somerset
  • Henry wore full armour as he was an easy target -> Warwick ordered archers to aim at guards not king
  • Yorkist began to take lead and broke Royalist lines + won
• What were some of the key deaths/injuries in the First battle of St Albans?

  Deaths:

  • Somerset (Castle Inn)
  • Northumberland
  • Clifford

  Injuries:

  • Henry VI (arrow to the neck)
• What were the larger Political impacts of the First battle of St Albans?

  • Great magnates taken up arms against anointed monarch (imposed will on governance)
  • Somerset + Northumberland + Clifford killed -> blood fueds + Henry VI appalled
  • Henry VI under control of Yorkists -> escorted to London (made clear he's still king)
  • York + Nevilles knelt + begged for forgiveness to show loyalty
  • Yorkists claim offices of state (York = Constable of England + Warwick = Captain of Calais)
  • Yorks power was insecure (power base narrow)
  • Anjou set about to strengthen court party
• Why was Henry VI's ride back to London symbolically important?

  • He rode between York + Salisbury with Warwick ahead carrying the sword of state
  • Showed Henry VI firmly in the hands of those who defeated him even though he was still king
• Which dates were York's second protectorate?

  York's second protectorate = November 1455 - 25th February 1456