Wars of the Barons (1459-61)

• After the great council in Leicester, the Yorkists immediately began trying to win support through their manifestos.
• Lancastrians had a force of about 10,000 men at Blore Heath.
• York offered independence of the English parliament to the Anglo-Irish ruling elite of Ireland.
• After Ludford, the king spared the Rank and File, fining only a few and attainting even fewer.
• London was falling into poverty and there was a general feeling that the royals were serving too much favour to the alien merchants.
• At the battle of Northampton, Lord Grey defected to the Yorkist side allowing for a swift victory.
• The Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Shrewsbury were killed at the battle of Northampton.
• After the battle of Northampton:

  • George Neville = chancellor
  • John Neville = chamberlain of the King's household
• The Queen and Somerset's forces were still at large. The new government was not accepted in northern, south-western counties of the vast majority of Wales.
• In the north, the queen was accompanied by forces of the Duke of Somerset and Earl of Devon. She could easily call upon forces of Earl of Northumberland and Duke of Exeter. James II assured her support as omg as she gave him Berwick-upon-tweed.