Margaret of Anjou

Question 1

Margaret of Anjou

Answer 1

She married Henry in 1444
As part of an unpopular peace Treaty (the truce of Tours)

Question 2

How politically influential was Margaret between 1450-59

Answer 2

As the wife of the King, she was a political operator and held much influence over her husband
It was extremely difficult for Yorkists to ignore her

Question 3

Prince Edward

Answer 3

Prince Edward strengthened her immeasurably as the mother of the future king after Somerset’s death in 1455

Question 4

What was Margaret’s opposition against York?

Answer 4

• She called the great council in May 1455 excluding York
• She played a major role in moving the court to Coventry, in the heart of Lancastrian lands.
• and love Day events as well as building a loyal faction seeking revenge against Yorkist
• She played a major role in the events of 1459 and barring the Yorkists from councils

Question 5

Challenges Magaret faced

Answer 5

As a woman, there were many constraints on her overt political power
As a French princess, who married without a dowry, as part of an unpopular peace treaty, she was widely distrusted
The secret surrender of Maine further added to this

Question 6

What happened to Margaret between 1453 - 1455?

Answer 6

Rejected as a possible regent in 1453 and during Yorks’s period in power he marginalized her

Until 1455, Margaret was mostly a secondary political figure
She was close to both Suffolk and Somerset but their disgrace added to her unpopularity and rumours of the nature of her relationship undermined her further

Question 7

1456

Answer 7

Margaret became the head of the opposition to York and her involvement bought about the end of York’s second Protectorate in February 1456