A rigid social hierarchy, with the stability of society depending on the abilities of the king and
the members of the aristocracy. Also, all levels of society heavily relied upon each other.
• Failures as king include;
o Ambitious nobility
o Lack of experience and ending his minority in November 1437
o Uncontrolled, generous use of patronage (usually used to ensure the cooperation
and loyalty of the nobility). This led to the development of a ‘court party’ which
controlled access to the king. Due to Henry’s uncontrolled patronage, the
government became bankrupt in 1450, which was exacerbated by the trade
depression in England. Government income was under £33 000 compared to its debt
of £372 000, and could not get credit.
o His interest for pacifism – wanting to manage noble feuds, his desire for peace in
foreign policy (prepared to surrender Anjou and Maine in 1445, despite some
noblemen wanting to preserve England’s lands in France).
o Poor health, and his interests in pacifism and education, affected his ability to
govern and manage domestic affairs. This meant that power was in the hands of the
nobility and his wife, Margaret of Anjou. Henry was easily manipulated.
o Henry’s poor health meant that others could easily assume his responsibilities and
powers as king; allowed Richard, Duke of York’s claim to become prominent.
• In 1435, the Duke of Burgundy, England’s most powerful ally, defected to the French side.
There were internal quarrels within Henry’s government concerning how to deal with the
French war, which allowed France to gain the advantage. The Cardinal Bishop of Winchester
wanted peace, whereas Humphrey of Gloucester wanted to preserve England’s conquests.
Henry’s desire for peace led to the Truce of Tours in 1444, with his betrothal to Margaret of
Anjou.
o The loss of Normandy sparked political rivalry between Somerset and York, who was
angered by Somerset’s actions as lieutenant and governor-general between 1447
and 1449. Somerset was responsible for surrendering Rouen and Caen.
• Henry’s failures as king exacerbated the development of baronial factions, although Henry
did mostly manage to control noble feuds. Tensions between the Percys and Nevilles grew
from 1453 to 1454 into a private war that threw the North into instability. The dispute was
worsened by political divisions in the government and they ignored all attempts to settle
peace between them. The dispute affected national politics due to the Nevilles’ association
with the Duke of York, whereas the Percys were allied with Henry VI and Somerset.
Cade’s rebellion
• General discontent against the government – the French war (the loss of land stopped trade
with traditional ports), economic crisis in England, and Henry’s councillors accused of
embezzling his money e.g. Suffolk, Lord Saye.
• A political rebellion aiming to address social and economic grievances, mainly driven by the
upper ranks of village society. Henry was not seen to be acting for the ‘common weal’ and
failed to engage with the population.
• Timeline
o May 1450 – During his banishment, the Duke of Suffolk was killed. His death
exacerbated the rebellion in Kent and resulted in instability. Locals organised under
Jack Cade to present their petition to Henry VI.
o 19 June 1450 – the rebels demand for Lord Saye and others to be arrested.
o 25 June 1450 – Henry VI abandons London.
o 3 July 1450 – the rebels cross London Bridge and execute several ministers and royal
servants eg Lord Saye and the Sheriff of Kent, William Crowmer.
o 5 July 1450 – Londoners push the rebels back to Southwark.
o 6 July 1450 – a settlement is reached and royal charters of pardon are issued.
o 12 July 1450 – death of Jack Cade, attainted as a traitor.
Power and influence of Richard, Duke of York
• Richard showed allegiance to Henry VI, despite being seen as the force for reform and good
government by the Cade rebels. In 1436, he was appointed as the king’s lieutenant in France
and demonstrated his capabilities for administration and diplomacy.
• On his return to England in 1451, he aimed to remove Somerset and other members of the
royal household, and use an Act of Resumption to cancel grants to royal favourites. After
these demands were ignored, York attempted a coup d’etat in 1452 but lacked the support
of the nobility.
• Thomas Young, MP of Bristol, was sent to the Tower of London in 1451 after suggesting that
York be recognised as the heir apparent to Henry VI.
• Richard became Protector in April 1454 after Henry’s breakdown. He was unable to rally the
nobility for effective administration due to the development of baronial factions. York took
sides with the Nevilles and made partisan appointments, such as appointing Salisbury as
Chancellor of England. His Protectorate ended in February 1455 after Henry’s recovery.
Margaret orchestrated several political machinations to ensure that York would be removed
from power.
