1450-55 Themes

Question 1

Political instability

Answer 1

• dynastic struggle, factionalism
• Richard Duke of York
• Henry VI
• Margaret of Anjou

Question 2

Motivations of Richard Duke of York?

Answer 2

• good governance = act of resumption —> trying to get support of commonweal, but lacks noble support which is made worse by this
• crown? = no hard evidence til Act of Accord
• rivalry with Somerset
• more power/personal ambition = chief counsellor role
• fear = associated with Cade rebels, parliament if devils, Somerset released from tower without trial

Question 3

E.g. of York’s good governance

Answer 3

• second ‘bill’ (letter) 1450 - demanded reform of the govt.
• Oct/Nov 1450 - petitioned to remove 31 counsellors from H6 (Somerset top of list)
• 1st protectorate 1454- Jan 1455- attempted to cut down royal household + tried to stop noble feuding in regions (arrested Duke of Exeter)
• after St Albans acknowledged H6 as king - suggests he is not after the crown - also recognised his son (Edward) as future king

Question 4

Ambition of York?

Answer 4

• chief counsellor
• requested by recognised as heir presumptive 1451 - would enhance is political power
• became protectorate
• letter requesting he should be in charge of the govt.
• repeated attempts to remove Somerset who is chief counsellor

Question 5

Fear (York motivation)

Answer 5

• 1451 Thomas Young arrested + 1452/3 William Oldhall arrested
• named by Cade Rebellion - concerned he would be implicated
• concerned about losing Ireland (due to Suffolk’s fate) - also needed money owed to him when in charge of France
• threat of Somerset
• early 1455 - feared what would happen at the Great council to meet at Leicester (leads to St Albans)

Question 6

Was York after the crown?

Answer 6

• 1451 requested to be formally recognised as heir presumptive
• made heir presumptive 1450-53
• however no hard evidence until later period (Act of Accord)

Question 7

Rivalry with Somerset (York’s ambitions)

Answer 7

• 1447 - York replaced as commander of France by Somerset
• York blames Somerset for the loss of Normandy
• Somerset surrendered Rouen (1949) + Caen (1450) without a fight - against chivalry
• York was Captain of Rouen
• 1450 - (second bill) York’s petition to remove Somerset from the king
• 1452 - York raised arms at Dartford - wants Somerset held to account
• 1453-54 Somerset held in tower - wanted him on trial
• St Albans - Somerset killed

Question 8

Was there opposition to Somerset?

Answer 8

• loss of Normandy
• Factions/ favourite of H6
• York was his main opposition - was there really any elsewhere?

Question 9

Somerset losing Normandy

Answer 9

• lost in 1448-50
• Somerset was in charge (had replaced York) - York wanted S held to account - attempts to put him on trial
• surrended Rouen + Caen without a fight - against Chivalric convention (meant to resist to best of ability)
• nobles lost land in France - losing out on wealth
• damaging to trade - impacting English economy + lost control of ports
• complaint of loss of Normandy from Cade rebels in manifesto

Question 10

Somerset as H6 favourite causing opposition

Answer 10

• Somerset favourite after 1450 - appointed countable after loss of Normandy