Triumph of the Yorkists

• Why was Edward able to win the crown by March 1461? (Yorkists)

  • Actions of York - created opposition needed
  • Neville support - most powerful + influential noblemen - popular, large army, Calais
  • Actions of Edward - fresh start, image of king, proved leadership + fighting
  • Yorkist propaganda - 3 suns = sign from God + Towton victory
• Why was Edward able to win the crown in 1461? (Lancastrians)

  • Henry's failure as king - wouldn't have challenged otherwise - he allowed rivalry to escalate - led to conflict - caused Nevilles to switch - led to Anjou taking over - decisions vital in Henry VI deposition
  • Actions of Anjou + Lancastrian leaders - went against Act of Accord - Act of Attainer gave them no choice - deserted London
• Why was Edward able to win the crown by 1461? (London)

  • London disliked Anjou but opened gates for Edward
  • London had fear of Anjou's looting army + she moved royal courts = insult
  • considerable loss in trade (wealthy courtiers spent money in Coventry)
  • merchants believed Anjou favoured foreign merchants
  • London had strong links with pro-Warwick merchants in Calais
  • London gave Edward men, money, credibility - Proclaimed king March 1461
• What was happening in the North + when during Edwards consolidation?

  • June-July 1461 there was triuble in the North through Lancastrians
  • June - dealt by Lord Fauconberg
  • July - dealt by Archbishop of York
• What happened in Wales during Edwards consolidation?

  • In October 1461 the Castles of Pembroke, Horlech and Denbigh were in Lancastrians hands led by Jasper Tudor
  • Gradually defeated by Herbert and Devereux
  • In 1468 Horlech surrendered
• What did Anjou do in Easter 1462? (Eds consolidation)

  • In Easter 1462 Anjou sought support from France with promise from Henry VI to give Calais in return for armed supported from Loius XI
  • Treaty of Chinon - given 800
  • Anjou returned to Scotland with force and set sail to Bambergh Castle
• What happened with the castles? (Eds consolidation)

  • On the 25th of October 1462 - 3 castles (Alnwick, Dunstanberg, Banburg) opened gates to Lancastrians
  • On the 13th November 1462 - Edward summoned army under Warwick
  • Anjou forced to withdraw
  • Christmas eve 1462 - Warwick beseiged Dungstanberg + Banburg
  • Both surrender and Alnwick followed
• What was Edwards poor Judgement and why?(Eds consolidation)

  • He made Somerset the knight of the bedchamber and gave him annuity
  • He allowed Sir Ralph Percy to remain in charge of the Strongholds of Northumbria if he swore allegiance
  • Percy ended up handing over Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Alnwick to the Scottish/French force
• What happened in July 1463? (Eds consolidation)

  • Full scale invasion by Scotland resumed
  • Warwick and Montagu confronted them and they fled
  • Anjou and son fled to France in exile
• What and when was Edwards change in tactic? (eds consolidation)

  • Late 1463 Edward changed from military to diplomatic tactics cutting off lines of foreign support to Lancastrians
  • October 1463 - truce with Louis XI to provide no further aid to Henry
  • December 1463 truce with Scotland
  • March 1464 more permanent settlement with Scotland
• What did Somerset do? (Eds consolidation)

  • Somerset switched back to Lancastrians
  • Raised forces with Percy, Lord Hungerford, and 12000
  • It was intercepted by a Neville force whilst moving North
• When was the Battle of Hedgely Moor?

  25th April 1464
• Who was the main Yorkist in the Battle of Hedgley Moor?

  Lord Montague
• Who was on the Lancastrian side during the Battle of Hedgely Moor?

  • Somerset
  • Percy (killed)
  • Lord Hungerford
  • Lors Roos
• When was the Battle of Hexham?

  15th May 1464
• Who was the main yorkist in the Battle of Hexham?

  Montague - he put an end to Lancastrian resistance
• Which Lancastrians were killed in the Battle of Hexham?

  • Somerset
  • Hungerford
  • Roo
• What happened because of the battle of Hexham?

  Alnwick and Dunstenburgh captured on the 23rd of May 1464
• What happened to Henry after the Battle of Hexham?

  • In June/July 1465 Henry VI was captured in Lancashire and placed in the Tower of London
• Who were Edwards possible marriage alliances?

  • Mary Gueldres (James II's widow) - the Scotish marriage would be advantageous - would improve relationship with Duke Philip of Burgundy, her kinsman - she died 1463
  • Princess Isabella Infanta of Castile - only 12 - eventually married Ferdinand of Aragon
  • Bona of Savoy (sister in law of Louis XI) - favoured by Warwick - entered into negotiations with Louis XI in summer of 1464 for possible marriage alliance but Edward had already married in secret
• Why was Elizabeth Woodville seen as a bad marriage match?

  • Edward married one of his subjects and a commoner
  • Not custom for a king to make own match especially in secret
  • Nobility believed Woodvilles as upstarts
  • Elizabeth Woodville had a large family - advantageous marriages arranged
  • Woodvilles disliked by nobles because of their influence on the king
• Why was Elizabeth and Edwards marriage an embarrassment to Warwick?

  • Warwick was in negotiations with France to create an alliance with the promise of marriage between Edward and Bona of Savoy
  • Edward didn't declare secret marriage during summer negotiations and got married in May
  • Didn't affect relations with France but embarrassed Warwick
  • Showed he was undermined and his declining influence on the king
• When was Elizabeth introduced to the public as queen?

  • 28th September 1464
  • She was escorted by Warwick and the Duke of Clarence
• When was Elizabeth's coronation and who was absent?

  • 26th May 1465
  • Attended by almost all nobility except Warwick, Hastings and Lord Wenlock - Official business with Burgundy
• What patronage did the Woodvilles recieve

  • Elizabeth had 2 sons from her first marriage, 5 brothers and 6 sisters
  • All provided for without much financial consequence to the crown and were married off rapidly to good families
  • Never recieved much royal patronage in land, wardships or offices
  • Marriages caused problems especially with Warwick
• Which marriages of the Woodvilles particularly affected Warwick?

  • Dowager Katherine Neville (Warwicks aunt) to John Woodville
  • She was 60, a 3 times widower and the Duchess of Norfolk - He was a teenager
  • Anne Holland, Heiress of Duchy of Exexter to Thomas Grey (Elizabths son)
  • Warwicks son George was already betrothed to her and paid 400 marks
• What was the impact of the Woodville marriages on Warwicks daughters?

  • Meant fewer suitable husbands for Warwickd daughters Isabel and Anne
  • He wanted them to marry the Kings brother (little choice other than them)
  • Edward opposed as it would make the Neville family too powerful
• What were the negative impacts for Warwick of the marriage of Edward and Elizabeth?

  • Dried up the marriage market for his daughters
  • Marriages from patronage were diabolical
  • Earl Rivers became treasurer and Warwick no longer had the kings confidence
  • Loss of influence
  • Long term reason for his defection
• What were the positive impacts of Edward and Elizabeths marriage for the nobility?

  The opportunity to marry a Woodville - their child would have relations to the future monarch
• What were the negative impacts on the marriage between Edward and Elizabeth on the nobility?

  • Positions were taken by the Woodvilles
  • Woodvilles had a lot of influence over the king
  • They were seen as upstarts
• What were the positive impacts for Edward in his marriage to Elizabeth?

  • Secured Yorkist succession
  • Married for love
  • Closer to Burgundy (Through Elizabeths relations)
• What were the negative impacts for Edward in his marriage to Elizabeth?

  • People lost faith in his political judgement
  • Rift created between Warwick and Edward
  • Political fallout from 1469
  • Providing for large Woodville family
• What patronage did Warwick receive for aiding the yorkists?

  • Captain of Calais
  • Offices of State
  • Edward VI right hand man - most trusted adviser - rewarded favourite
  • Constableship of Dover Castle
  • Wardenship of Cinque ports
  • Admiralship of England and Ireland
  • Wardenship of Eastern and Western marches on the Scottish border
• What was Warwicks ambition for his family? (eds consolidation)

  • Daughters unable to marry Gloucester and Clarence
  • Wanted to aggrandise family in south Wales and have full control of the North
  • Edward appointed Sir William Herbert Earl of Pembroke instead in 1468
  • In 1467 he dismissed George Neville from chancellor of England
• What were the reasons for Warwicks disaffection?

  • Lack of common enemy - end of Lancastrian resistance in 1465
  • Edwards marriage - he wasn't consulted - Woodvilles became principle influence on Edward - given offices and marriages
  • Foreign policy - Warwick wanted French alliance but Edward wanted Burgundian due to Woodvilles
  • Duke of Clarence as an ally - Clarence resented Woodvilles for fear of losing his position in court - ambition but no distinct public role - involved in plan to get papal dispensation to marry Isabel (cousins)
• When was Robin of Redesdale in Yorkshire?

  April 1469
• Who was responsible for the Robin of Redesdale in Yorkshire?

  • Neville inspired
  • Sir John Conyes
  • Sir Henry Fitshugh (Warwicks nephew)
  • Sir Henry Neville (Warwicks cousin)
  • Many supports Nebvilles or retainers or tenants of Nevilles
  • Dispersed by Montague but regrouped in July 1460
• When did the Robin of Holderness in East Riding happen?

  April 1469
• Who was responsible for the Robin of Holderness in East Riding?


  • Percy inspired
  • Wanted to restore Percy family to the Earldom of Northumberland
  • Suppressed by Montague
• What were the Robin of Redesdale demands?

  • Warwick declared support
  • Disliked taxtion
  • Support Henry VI
  • dissatisfaction of Edwards composition and style of government
  • Disliked Woodvilles influence