The Downfall of the Yorkist Monarchy (1483-1486)

Question 1

When did Edward IV die ?

Answer 1

In April 1483 Edward IV dies (Richard is in the north and Edward V is in Ludlow)

Question 2

How did Richard respond to Edward IV’s death?

Answer 2

He offered letters of condolences to the Woodvilles - whilst also requesting his right to be Protector of England and tutor to Edward V - this has never been held by any one person - would make him a proxy King / regent

Question 3

What positions do the Woodvilles fill when Edward IV dies?

Answer 3

Dorset becomes Keeper of the Sea. The Woodvilles also have impermanent control of the Treasury and so grant Edward Woodville £3670 to provide for his fleet of 2000 men.

Question 4

Did the growing power of the Woodvilles concern Hastings?

Answer 4

Hastings was concerned for the 2000 men that would arrive with Edward V - he even threatened to flee to Calais - but was reassured by Elizabeth Woodville it would only be 2000 men

Question 5

Which two nobles sent Richard, Duke of Gloucester letters in 1483, and what about?

Answer 5

Buckingham and Hastings - offering their support for Richard whilst suggesting concern about the Woodvilles control in London.

Question 6

What does Richard’s letter to Anthony Woodville say? Why?

Answer 6

Richard suggests that Anthony Woodville and Edward V should meet him in Northampton so that they can enter united into London for Edward V’s coronation.

Question 7

When stationed in Stony Stratford, which members go for dinner in Northampton?

Answer 7

Anthony Woodville, Richard Grey, and Thomas Vaughn, went for dinner with Richard and Buckingham.

Question 8

30th April 1483

Answer 8

Anthony Woodville, Richard Grey, and Thomas Vaughn, were arrested and imprisoned; Richard goes to Edward V and claims they were plotting to kill him and deprive him of his protectorship. Edward V dismisses this and says that he has faith in his mother’s council which infuriates Buckingham - who says it is not a woman’s business to run a Kingdom.

Question 9

Where do Elizabeth, her daughters, and Dorset go in late April 1483?

Answer 9

Sanctuary

Question 10

Edward V’s coronation is delayed, and George Neville dies… why is this important?

Answer 10

In order for Richard’s heirs to remain dominant in the north - he must make revisions of Warwick’s inheritance - to do so he must be politically dominant.

Question 11

When is Richard first made Lord Protector of England?

Answer 11

Formally by the Council - May 1483

Question 12

What 4 other things do the Council of May 1483 do:

Answer 12

1) Buckingham is granted estates of Wales and the Welsh Marches (previously Woodville dominated)

2) Edward V is placed in the Tower - Buckingham’s suggestion

3) The poor financial situation of England is blamed on the Woodvilles - Treasury only has £1,200

4) Richard asks the Council to attaint AW - rejected

Question 13

In May 1483 what does Richard fail to convince Elizabeth Woodville to do?

Answer 13

Leave sanctuary

Question 14

In early June 1483 what does Richard tell Ratcliffe to do?

Answer 14

Richard sends Ratcliffe with a message to the north telling them to provide support for him and bring an army to London as he claimed the Woodvilles intended to destroy him.

Question 15

On Friday the 13th of June 1483 - what occurs

Answer 15

Richard summons a council which split into two groups - one that organise the King’s coronation and the other Richard claims his life is in danger and that Elizabeth Woodville is plotting to destroy him with witchcraft. He then accuses Hastings of being involved in Elizabeths plot - and Hastings is beheaded outside.

Question 16

In June, Richard surrounded … with his men and Archbishop … convinced …. to let …. out of Sanctuary so he could attend …’s coronation

Answer 16

The Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey
Bouchier
Elizabeth Woodville
Prince Richard
Edward V

Question 17

The coronation is delayed from … till …

Answer 17

June to November

Question 18

Again in June Richard beckons for help from…

Answer 18

The North

Question 19

Who gave a speech, and when claiming Edward V was illegitimate?

Answer 19

Ralph Shaw, a popular speaker, claimed Edward V was not legitimate - because Edward V’s marriage to Woodville was bigamous as he had been promised to Eleanor Butler - thus his kids were bastards

Question 20

What did Shaw further suggest about Edward IV?

Answer 20

That Edward IV too was illegitimate - his mother allegedly had an affair and used the justification that neither Edward nor Clarence looked like their father but Richard did.

Question 21

What does Buckingham’s speech in June entail?

Answer 21

1) Richard’s qualities
2) Edward V’s illegitimacy
3) Richard was the only one of his brothers born in England

Question 22

What does Dorset do in June 1483?

Answer 22

Flee from Sanctuary

Question 23

What happens on the 25th June 1483?

Answer 23

Anthony Woodville. Thomas Vaughn, and Richard Grey are executed. The northern troops begin to march to London.

Question 24

What happens on the 26th June 1483?

Answer 24

Buckingham presents Richard with a formal petition (Titulus Regius) requesting him to be England’s King - Richard accepts.

Question 25

What role is John Howard given?

Answer 25

John Howard becomes the duke of Norfolk.

Question 26

What role is Francis Lovell given?

Answer 26

Francis Lovell becomes chamberlain.

Question 27

What role is William Catesby given?

Answer 27

William Catesby is made chancellor of the Exchequer.

Question 28

What is Buckingham rewarded with?

Answer 28

More estates, titles and offices are given to Buckingham

Question 29

6th July 1483

Answer 29

Richard III and his wife Anne Neville coronated

Question 30

Late 1483

Answer 30

1) Louis XI dies and Charles VIII becomes King of France 2) Edward of Middleham is made Prince of Wales 3) Buckingham's Rebellion

Question 31

Give 4 details about the Parliament of 1484:

Answer 31

1) The Titulus Regis is ratified and formally issued by parliament, legitimising Richard’s claim to the throne 2) It effectively marks the political death of the princes in the Tower. 3) 103 attainders are issued against those who participated in Buckingham’s Rebellion. 4) An oath is taken by all lords and leading men of the household promising to uphold the rights of Edward of Middleham should anything happen to Richard; such an oath is unusual.

Question 32

March/ April 1484

Answer 32

Elizabeth allows Richard custody of her daughters and his son Edward dies at age 10.

Question 33

In ... 1484 a 3-year truce is agreed between ... and ...

Answer 33

September Scotland England

Question 34

A naval war between ... and ... had been ongoing since Edward IV's death

Answer 34

England and France

Question 35

Richard negotiates with Pierre Landais - the Breton Chancellor and what comes from this?

Answer 35

They are willing to surrender Henry Tudor to Richard - but Tudor finds out and flees to France - works because England have aggressive foreign policy regarding France at this time.

Question 36

November 1484

Answer 36

The French King - Charles VIII declares Henry Tudor as the rightful King of England and provides 4000 french soldiers and £4,500.

Question 37

What support does Richard gain i early 1485?

Answer 37

Some of the Woodvilles servants and Dorset (but Dorset is detained when trying to leave France).

Question 38

What two rumours spread in March 1485?

Answer 38

In March after Anne - Richard;s wife died - it was rumoured that he poisoned her - and that he married his niece Elizabeth of York.

Question 39

How did Richard respond to this?

Answer 39

He goes to Guildhall in London and declares he has not married his niece as Catesby and Ratcliffe says if this rumour reaches the north he will lose his support.

Question 40

June 1485

Answer 40

Richard declared proclamation - Tudor comes from bastard blood.

Question 41

By July 1485 - what support did Tudor have?

Answer 41

Henry Tudor obtains a private loan from Philippe Lullier, captain of the Bastille in Paris and a councillor of Charles VIII. Tudor hastily recruits a force of 1,000-2,000 disbanded French soldiers; Charles VIII contributes money, possibly £8,000, and a loan; Charles encourages his subjects to provide Tudor with financial support; Tudor hires ships; a French vice-admiral is recruited to lead the fleet; the army comprises no more than 5,000 men.

Question 42

What did Tudor attack England with in August 1485? Where did they land / go to?

Answer 42

7 Ships, 500 Englishmen, 2000 French soldiers. Jasper Tudor, earl of Pembroke; John de Vere, earl of Oxford; Sir Edward Woodville. They landed in Wales and went to Shrewsbury.

Question 43

Where did Richard go?

Answer 43

To Leicester to intercept Tudor and his troops advancing on London.

Question 44

What happens with Stanley?

Answer 44

He goes to Lichfield when Tudor arrives - he technically supports Richard but his wife is Tudors mother - Richard questions his loyalty and takes his son George as hostage for security. He has 500 troops and escorts Tudor into Lichfield - unsure whether he helped Tudor or not.

Question 45

By August 21st Richard ... and ... are all with their troops in ...

Answer 45

Norfolk (John Howard), and Northumberland, are in Leicester

Question 46

It is suggested there was agreement for support between ... and ... just befroe the Battle of ... began on the 22nd of ... 1485.

Answer 46

Stanley and Tudor Bosworth August