Sun in Splendour

• Who were the 2 Lancastrian claimants to the throne?

  not a threat to Edward IV

  • King John II of Portugal (descendant of John of Guant) claim = weak
  • Henry Tudor in Brittany (Claim through Margaret Beaufort) Edward only made a few lackluster attempts to make him return
• What domestic challenges did Edward face? (Oxford)

  • John De Vere, Earl of Oxford - gathered support in France(George Neville arrested in 1472 for support)- Had the support of Louis XI
  • May 1473 attempted land in Essex but was stopped
  • September 1473 he landed in Cornwall and captured a castle
  • Sir Henry Bodragon sent to deal with him but was discovered giving him supplies for 6 months
  • December 1473 John Fortescue engaged garrison (negotiated deals to desert Oxford)
  • 15th February Oxford surrendered
• What domestic challenges did Edward face? (Faucenberg)

  • After Warwicks death Thomas Neville, Bastard of Faucenberg advanced towards London from Calais gathering troops
  • He was refused entry and prepared 3 assaults on the city
  • London was defended by Edward Woodville and Lord Scales
  • Fauenberg learnt the Lancastrian cause was lost
  • Edward captured immediate followers
  • September 1471 Faucenberg beheaded
• What happened with Scotland at the beginning of Edwards Second reign?

  • 1474 Anglo-Scottish Treaty - marriage alliance between Cecily and future James IV of Scotland
  • Edward agreed to pay regular dowry
  • Relations = amicable
  • 1474 James III offered sister Margaret as bride for Earl Rivers
• What happened in the winter of 1474 to worsen Scottish relations?

  • Skirmishes broke out on the boarders (James blamed English)
  • Edward was displeased and responded with harsh ultimatum in 1480
  • Pay reparations to those affected by skirmishes, surrender Berwick castle, hand over James IV = heir
  • James III attempted to negotiate peace but Earl of Angus raiding force were included in the burning of Bamberg
  • England prepared aggressive campaign
• What was Gloucesters role in relations with Scotland?


  • May 1480 made lieutenant general of the realm
• What happened in the Scottish expedition?

  • Gloucester and Northumberland fended off Scotlands attacks
  • Edward didn't move until September 1480 (other fp) but got no further than Nottingham
  • Winter 1481-2 further skirmishes (public in favour of war)
  • Agreement with Duke of Albany to support his claim to the Scottish throne
  • Formal agreement 11th June 1482
  • Edward entrusted Gloucester with the Scottish campaign
• Outcomes of the Scottish expedition

  • Expensive 10000 marks a year
  • Edward was not actually involved
  • Gloucester was successful and Berwick surrendered because of the size of his army
  • Scottish barons open revolt
  • James III seized and imprisoned in Edinburgh castle - Gloucester marched to Edinburgh unopposed
  • Scottish leadership sought treaty but Gloucester unwilling to agree without Edward and withdrew to Berwick
  • Edward determined to continue aggressive campaigns - intended to resume in 1483
  • October 1482 Edward called off marriages and demanded dowry back
• Why did Edward want war with France?

  • Aim wqas to attack or ally with any foreign power that could support Lancastrians
  • Wanted new French campaign = 'Kings great enterprise'
  • Aspired to success of Henry V and Edward III
  • Revenge against Louis XI
  • Show end of civil war
• What happened between England, Burgundy and and Brittany between 1472-5?

  • 11th September 1472 alliance between England and Brittany
  • 25th July 1474 Treaty of London between England and Burgundy to invade France
  • 4th July 1475 England lands in Calais (Cost a lot to transport 20000 men + artillery + more ships)
  • 14th July Duke Charles of Burgundy met English army without a force
• What happened between England and France in 1475?

  • 12th August 1475 England began negotiations with France
  • 29th August 1475 Treaty of Picquigny between England and France
  • Louis agreed to initial payment of 75000 and annual 50000
  • Marriage alliance between Dauphin and Elizabeth
  • Truce lasts 7 years
• What happened between 1479-83? (Edwards foriegn policy) (Burgundy)


  • 1479 Maximilian (Burgundy) won the Battle of Gignate against France
  • 1481 - Truce between England and Burgundy - marriage alliance between Anne and Phillip (Maximilian son)
  • Dowry of 200000 refused by Edward
  • Instead paid pension and got first year off
  • Given 6000 English archers that they had to pay for
  • Ended Louis payment
• What happened between 1479-83? (Edwards foriegn policy) (France)

  • 1481 Secret truce between France and England
  • Edward stopped active support to Maximilian for renewal of truce
  • Firm marriage arrangements and restoration of pension = accepted
  • Mary of Burgundy dies and Flemish nobility take charge opening negotiations with France
  • 1482 Treaty of Arras - alliance between France and Burgundy
  • Marriage alliance between Dauphin and Margaret (Marys daughter)
  • Edward lost treaty and marriage alliance with both
• What were the outcomes of the French campaign?

  • Annoyed many - Edwards previous military success rescued him from accusations of cowardice - no military glory
  • Burgundy angry
  • Waste of money - tax was hard to explain
  • Trade and Louis pension allowed him to remain largely independent for the rest of his reign
  • Louis agreed to ransom Anjou for 10000 and returned to France
• What happened to Charles the Bold?

  • 1477 seige of Nancy - Charles the Bold killed
  • Mary of Burgundy becomes heiress
• What did Edward do in 1478?


  • August 1478 Edward raised with Louis that Elizabeth was of marriage age
  • He said a formal betrothal should take place
  • Said he should begin to receive her jointure of £60000
  • Louis instead offered partial payment of Elizabeth maintenance
  • Edward rejected this demanding full payment
• What marriage alliances were arranged?

  • 1475-82 Elizabeth - Dauphin
  • 1474 -82 Cecily - Future James IV Scotland
  • 1476 Prince of Wales (Edward)- negotiations with Spain for Infanta Isabella (F+I daughter)
  • 1478 Prince of Wales (Edward) Maximilian of Austria propose match with sister
  • Edward wanted match with daughter of Duke of Milan but his Widow Bona of Savoy rejected (wealthy) past
  • 1481 - Anne of Brittany (4) to marry Edward when she reached 12 with dowry of 100000 crowns - double if there was a son to ,marry one of his daughters + provide her dowry of 100000 crowns
• What marriage alliances were arranged for Clarence/Earl Rivers?

  • Mary of Burgundy became greatest heiress in Europe
  • 1477 Stepmother Mary wanted Clarence to Mary her - he said no because he didn't trust her with their resources
  • Earl Rivers was suggested but rejected because he wasn't royal
• What is the Beauchamp despenser Inheritance?

  • Anne Beauchamp (Warwicks widow) inherit after her father and brothers death
  • Warwick kept Warwick and Despenser estates (inheritance=Annes)
• What patronage did Clarence get?

  • Restored to all properties (including Warwicks estate in south)
  • Land confiscated from courtenory of Earls of Devon (Compensation for Percy land)
  • Warwick estates in Midlands
• What patronage did Gloucester get?


  • Warwicks Neville estates in the North
  • Head of council of the North
  • Key stronghold of Middleham and Sheriff Hutton on Yorkshire
  • Chief Steward of Duchy of Lancaster
  • Fortified lands of Earl of Oxford
• What were the brothers response to their patronage? (inheritance dispute)

  • Neither brother content
  • Main dispute over Beauchamp inheritance
  • Clarence had a claim through his wife
• What happened with Anne Neville? (inheritance dispute)


  • Anne Neville = key to securing whole inheritance
  • She was Clarences ward so he hid her
  • 1472 Gloucester located and seized her and married her to secure share of Beauchamp inheritance with no papal dispensation
  • Caused quarrel between brothers
  • Verge of open conflict by 1473
• What were the division of inheritance?

  • March 1472 Agreed in principle (surrender of Clarence)
  • Clarence renounced some of Warwick inheritance and granted full security of remainder of it
  • Made Earl of Warwick and Salisbury
  • Not satisfactory outcome as part belong to Dowager countess Anne
• What happened with dowager countess Anne?

  • Dowager Countess Anne (Warwick widow) mounted desperate legal challenge to protect her rights
  • June 1473 Gloucester had her taken out of sanctuary
  • May stripped of inheritance and declared legally dead
• What happened in Parliament May 1473?

  • Parliament May 1474 - Isabel and Anne granted fathers estates (divided between)
  • Widow Anne legally dead
  • Clarence lost Lordship of Tutbury
  • Edward and Clarence not as strong relationships as Gloucester
  • Showed complete disregard for rules of inheritance
• Why was factional rivalry between Gloucester and Clarence negative for Edward IV?

  • Edward disregard for English laws of inheritance and favouring of close family in patronage
  • Favour of Gloucester and Clarence
  • Embarrassment that Beauchamp inheritance became public domain
• Immediate causes of Clarences downfall(marriage)

  • Marriage alliances Isabel died December 1476
  • Edward opposed Clarence marrying Mary of Burgundy
  • Mad because Edward wouldn't let help Burgundy because of Picquigny = further wedge
  • Another marriage proposal dismissed between Clarence and King of Scots sister Margaret
• Immediate causes of Clarences downfall (arrests)


  • April 1477 Clarence arrest Ankarette Twynho, John Thursby and Roger Tocotes accusing them of poising his wife and son
  • Found guilty by a packed jury of Clarence supporters
  • Twynho and Thursby executed
  • Possible Clarence wanting revenge for his discontent
  • Edward responded by arresting Dr John Stacey who was accused (with Thomas Burdet) of necromancy and planning kings death
  • Confessed under torture and implicated Burdet
  • Clarence declared Burdets innocence before kings council
• When was Clarence arrested and executed?

  • June 1477 Clarence arrested
  • Edward hesitated but Jan 1478 parliament took into own hands
  • 7th February Condemned
  • 18th February 1478 executed
• How did Edward create a 'New Monarchy'/what is it?

  • Destruction of power of overmighty nobility
  • Shift towards absolutism
  • Centralisation of government = national approach
• What were the changes in government methods?

  • Patronage - many members of nobility owed positions directly to king
  • Worked successfully with parliament - called infrequently but for longer sessions = contrast predecessors
  • Took direct control of royal finance - crown solvent for the first time in many years
• What were the changes in government methods? pt2

  • Relied on household men and administration of council = similar to previous
  • Recognised need to restore powers of nobility after wars and reward loyal supporters
  • Recognised need to restore law and order - settled on new men to carry out functions of government
  • Many institutions were old and ineffective so Edward simply bypassed them
• What was the financial situation of Edwards governance?

  • Finances = most problematic area
  • Inherited bankruptcy from Henry VI
  • Debt £372000 by 1450
  • Royal expenditure = £50000 per year
  • Difficult to pay back as barely covered crowns income
  • Effects of the great slump 1440-1480 still felt
  • Edward turned to taxes 4x in his reign (twice wars didn't happen)
• What were Edwards methods to manage finance?

  • Huge success = crown solvent
  • 1461 Act of Resumption - recovered royal land granted by oher monarchs
  • Bypassed the Exchequer - money directly diverted into coffers of royal household (Edward personally involved in management)
  • 1464 Recoinage - effective but unpopular - took value out of coin - lucrative reform
  • 1475 received income from French pension = £10000 per year
  • Used benevolences = forced gifts - very unpopular
• What did Edward do with the Royal household?


  • 1471-72 'The Black Book of the royal household Edward VI - recorded workings of royal household
  • Aimed to describe and regulate expenses of the household and establish rules to govern
  • House hold finances still problematic after 1472 - still necessary to reduce expenses
  • 1478 Ordinance outlined economies which were to be made
  • Difficult to judge in the long term how effective these measures were
  • Was reduction in household spending from 1478
• Summary of Edwards governance


  • Edwards new method of government not reforms but good management
  • Took control and made decisions - contrast to Henry VI
  • Most innovation in royal finances
  • Improve after 1478
• What affected social mobility?

  • Black death 1348-50 - significant population drop (30-40%)
  • Increased availability of land - people could increase estates + those with none landed wealth by land
  • Impact of WORs = destruction of many noble families + increased social mobility (many climbed ranks through rewards/marriage)
  • Improved status of many families = change in aristocracy brought by bloodletting of civil wars
  • Also affected urban areas - could rise from lowly apprentice to master craftsmen/merchant
  • Merchants could aspire to join ranks of landed gentry
• Who were the Paston family?

  • Family who achieved social mobility and rose through marriages
• Why were the elite in society fewer?

  • Blaming intermarriage between noble families