Henry VI's first reign Flashcards
What problems did Henrys advisers cause?
Suffolk
-Allegations of corruption and favouritism towards his supporters.
-Exploiting the king’s weaknesses for personal gain, leading to resentment among the nobility.
-Mishandling of foreign policy, especially disastrous peace negotiations with France
Why did Henry VI’s use of patronage cause problems?
Patronage
-Endowments of Eton and Kings College in 1440 and 43
-The Commons tried to persuade the king to reverse his grants with the 1450 act of Resumption - Was not as successful as it might of been because Henry insisted on being able to make exceptions, largely for members of his household - A further act was required the following year which proved more successful at regaining royal property
What problems did taxation cause for Henry VI?
Taxation
-Financing the government, especially during times of war proved to be very difficult
-Henry VI inherited debt from his father
-Income from customs revenues had “plummeted from £40,677 in 1421 to £28,100 in 1466-8”
-Parliament had already voted taxes for the years 1445-49 which were the years of peace
-This caused an increase in opposition to the government
People didn’t like funding a losing war, which weakened their relationship with Henry. The commons made a minimal grant and demanded an act of resumption to take place before any more grants would be made, and by 1450, the crown was running out of credit, debts were mounting, and soldiers went unpaid
What were the problems between York and Somerset between 1445-50?
-York resented being replaced by Somerset as lieutenant general in France
-York was made lieutenant General in Ireland, which some considered to be a political exile
-York blamed Somerset for key losses in France
-York was annoyed Somerset had his loans repaid promptly by the crown while he did not
Did York and somerset hostilities begin in the 1440s?
-The king chose to choose the funding of Somerset’s war in Gascony which failed in York’s war in Normandy
-York felt that he had done a good job in France but was replaced by Somerset as Lieutenant general and then made lieutenant of Ireland
-York had lost assets because of Somerset’s actions which led him to lose out financially
-Somerset was paid the money owed to him while York was forced to sell manors to make ends meet as he awaited payment of the £38,000 he was owed
-York felt that Somerset had failed in his job as Lieutenant General in france, and blamed him for the loss in normandy in 1449 . However, The claim that York resented his loans to the king not being repaid as promptly as those of Sommerset is called into question by the fact that he was paid back a significant amount of the money owed when he returned from France in 1445, whereas Somerset received no money from 1444 to 1451
Did York and somerset hostilities begin in the 1450s?
- a letter from York to the people of Shrewsbury written in 1452, which expresses sentiments of discontent.
- the timing of certain events, such as York’s absence during the loss of Normandy in 1449, contributed to his increasing public image as a potential saviour upon his return, which likely escalated tensions with Somerset.
- When York finally returned, Somerset had assumed his position of power at court, leading to further friction between them.
What was the impact of the failure in France on the government ?
-The return of experienced soldiers to England, contributed to the onset of the Wars of the Roses.
-The loss of Normandy in 1449 sparked violent reactions in England, with Suffolk and his faction blamed.
What were the consequences of military defeats under Henry VI?
-Influx of refugees in England
-Reduction in trade due to the loss of northern French towns
-Increase in French naval attacks on the English coast.
When was Cade’s Rebellion
1450
What were the reasons for Cades rebellion?
-Taxes were unfairly imposed
-Taxes were increased due to the king’s patronage
-Justice was not impartially administered
-The rebels wanted political reform and they saw the Duke of York as the one to lead this reform
What were the events of Cade’s rebellion?
-Begun in Kent and led by a man named jack Cade. who used the name Mortimer
-By the time they reached Blackheath on June 1st, Cades following included at leats 1 knight, 5 parsons, a mayor and about 100 members of the Gentry
-The army is thought to have totalled approximately 46,000 their numbers increasing by rebels from Essex, Sussex and Surrey
-Cade withdrew his army as he was unsure of their chances about the king’s 10,000 men - At Sevenoaks, the king men were ambushed at Sevenoaks and the king’s men were ambushed and slaughtered
-There was much looting and pillaging that after 4 days the people of London had had enough
