1450-1455 Flashcards
When does York return to England + what does he do
- returns to England from Ireland Oct 1450
- he presents a series of bills (letters)
- the first bill professes his loyalty to Henry VI + challenges those who have spoken ill of York to openly state their accusation in from of the king
- the second one repeated the reforms demanded by the commonweal + echoing the proclamation of the Cade’s rebellion
- the third also demands reforms but referring to the loss of France
- Henry Vi promised a council to consider these issues in which York soul be part of but York wants to run it
What shows York to be dominant after his return in 1450?
- Nov - parliament meets at Westminster
- sir William Oldhall (one of yorks leading councillors) is elected speaker
- a parliamentary petition demands the removal of 31 named individuals from the kings court - Somerset was at the top of the list
- the pressure of the demand leads to Henry having to imprison Somerset in the Tower of London (possibly also for somersets safety)
- parliament enacted an act of resumption to try and restore royal finances - York is (briefly) dominant
- the nobles weren’t not happy - yorks demands for reform with him speaking for the Cade rebellions + the commonwealth as well as the act of resumption
What happened in 1451?
- Thomas Yonge (yorks personal lawyer) proposes in parliament that York should be formally recognised as Henry VI’s heir - seems to want more power + status
- rejected by the lords + king - yonge is imprisoned (excessive?)
- power returns to Somerset
What happens February 1452?
- Dartford
- York assembles affinity + marches under arms to dartford to force the removal of Somerset
- only nobles supporting him are Thomas Courtenay (earl of Devon) and lord cobham
- the royal host army is three times larger and contains many nobles - nobles don’t support York as he is going against the king
What happens after Dartford?
- 3 March 1452
- York submits to Henry VI - he presents charges against Somerset but these are dismissed by Henry
- York swears he will never take up arms against the king or any of the king’s subjects ever again at St Paul’s Catheter-> HUMILIATING
Effectiveness of govt. in 1453?
- parliament at Reading - Somerset dominant
- Jack Cade is denounced as a traitor
- Sir William Oldhall is attained for treason -> close associate with York, taking power away from York since they can’t accuse York himself of treason so they are damaging his reputation
- an English army (under earl of Shrewsbury) sent to Gascony + Bordeaux recovered the previous autumn, order is restored in Kent (with a show of force, with Henry in attendance), an act of resumption is undertaken, the commons grant taxation to aid war effort in France
- an effective government with Somerset now York is gone
When is Gascony lost?
- 17 July 1453
- English forces under sir John Talbot (earl of Shrewsbury) defeated in battle of Castillon + Gascony is lost as a result
- Shrewsbury is killed in battle
When is Henry VI’s catatonic stupor?
- August 1453
- Henry goes into catatonic stupor upon hearing the loss of Gascony
What is the response to Henry’s stupor?
- great council running government
- York is summoned to attend its meetings
- the Duke of Norfolk (ally of York) accuses Somerset of losing Normandy and Gascony
What happens late 1453?
Oct - Margaret of Anjou gives birth to prince edward
Nov - Somerset imprisoned in Tower of London - York now dominant
What happens in 1454?
- King is still insensible + there is a pressing need for a protector
- Margaret of Anjou petitions for this role to protect the interests of her son - but is rejected for being a woman + also French
- March York recognises Prince Edward as heir to the throne + his first protectorate starts
- gets back office of captain of Calais
- York tries to put forward many reforms + fails to gain the support of fellow lords when trying to bring criminal proceedings against Somerset (been imprisoned for a year now without trial)
- Henry VI regains his senses
What were York’s reforms during his first protectorate?
- oversaw substantial cuts in expenditure of the royal household (as previously demanded of the commonweal)
- intervened in disputes between the percies + Neville’s
- tried to preside over a fair govt. but was dependent on the support of Salisbury + Warwick which he had to advance the interest of = Salisbury appointed chancellor + Neville’s dispute with percies went in favour of the Nevilles = favourites
What happens at the beginning of 1455?
POWER RETURNS TO SOMERSET
- Somerset released from tower on the conditions he remains at least 20 miles from the king (compromise due to York’s pressure but didn’t last long)
- all charges against Somerset dropped
- York formally steps down as protector
- York removed as captain of Calais - given to Somerset
- Salisbury resigns as chancellor
- April = Henry VI summons a great council to meet at Leicester = York fears Somerset will be favoured —> First Battle of St Albans
