Why Did Warwick Rebel

Question 1

Introduction:

Answer 1

The outbreak in July 1469

In October 1470 he aligned himself with Margaret and Louis XI to put Henry on the throne
The most important factor was Edward’s independence and recklessness

Question 2

3 paragraphs for Why did Warwick rebel in 1469

Answer 2

(1) Edward’s independence and recklessness
(2) Warwick’s ambition
(3) Disagreements over foreign policy

Question 3

Edward’s independence and recklessness

Answer 3

Marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464

She possessed no lands or diplomatic advantages illustrating Edward’s reckless nature

Edward married Elizabeth in secret on 1st May 1464 but only admits it to the council at Reading on 14th September 1464

Question 4

Impact on Warwick

Answer 4

Warwick had been concluding a marriage treaty for Edward with the French Bona of Savoy
(French King’s sister-in-law)

Antagonised and felt humiliated as he was not informed

Question 5

Promotion of ‘New Yorkists’

Answer 5

Edward creates a new faction in the court

He gives Richard Woodville the title of Earl Rivers and appoints him Treasurer of England in 1466 and Constable of England in 1467

Lord Hastings also appointed as Master of the Mint

Question 6

Isabel’s marriage to Clarence

Answer 6

Publicly stripped George Neville (Warwick’s brother) of his title as Lord Chancellor For attempting to marry Isabel Neville to Edward’s bro, Clarence

1467- He blocked the marriage proposal between Warwick’s daughter (Isabel Neville) and clarence

Against the King’s orders, Warwick marries Isabel and Clarence

Question 7

Warwick’s ambition

Answer 7

Although he held huge power and huge estates, he was still unhappy
Given huge patronage by Edward following Towton in March 1461

Instigated 3-4 rebellions between 1469 and 1471 - Robin of Redesdale
Against the King’s orders, he forces the marriage between Isabel and Clarence

BUT:
Edward had married the Woodvilles to the majority of eligible nobility, so Warwick had limited options
Edward may have granted Warwick numerous estates, but still stripped his brother and uncle of their titles
Edward forced Warwick’s hand
Thus although a prominent reason, Warwick’s ambition is subsidiary to Edward’s recklessness as he neglected and humiliated his primary ally

Question 8

Foreign Policy

Answer 8

Warwick sought a French alliance with King Louis XI whilst Edward and the Woodvilles favoured the Burgundians
Warwick was Captain of Calais and a landowner in France

Alliance with Burgundians already cemented through trade and marriage
Edward marries his sister Margaret of York to Charles the Bold in 1468
Edward played France and Burgundy off against one another, sending Warwick on futile diplomatic missions to France whilst he negotiated a trade with the Burgundians

Question 9

Conclusion:

Answer 9

The rebellion was caused by a culmination of disagreements dating back to Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464

Edward’s promotion of ‘New Yorkists’ and disregard of Warwick and the Nevilles prompted Warwick to rebel

Thus as a result of Edward’s tendency to rule independently and failure to heed and respect the powerful Warwick, ultimately led to a confrontation between the two and consequently rebellion.