The Crises of 1399-1405 - Q3

?
View mindmap
  • The Crises of 1399-1405
    • To what extent was the Lancastrian monarch secure by 1405?
      • 1. The challenges from the Percies and Owain Glyndwr:
        • Owain Glyndwr and the Welsh rebellion:
          • Anglo-Welsh relations were the most serious threat to his reign
            • September 1400: Glyndwr led a rebellion which elevated Owain to the status of a prince.
              • The aim was to kill HIV and destroy the Lancastrian regime.
                • He attacked and burned the town of Ruthin with his army but within a week his forces were overwhelmed by troops raised by Hugh Burnell (a loyal Lancastrian).
                  • It happened before the king could return from the north.
                    • As a result, his 13-year-old son, the Prince of Wales, was left in charge of securing Wales - Hotspur was the real military commander.
                      • Glyndwr and supporters then adopted guerrilla tactics against the English
                        • HIV returned to Wales in late summer/autumn of 1401 but he could not bring Glyndwr to open battle.
                          • 1402: Glyndwr captured Edmund Mortimer IV (uncle of young earl of March) who switched loyalties to support the Welsh rebels and claimed that his nephew was the rightful king.
                            • September 1402: parliament enacted a series of statutes forbidding the sale of food or armour to Wales an prohibited public meetings, for example.
                              • This showed that the threat was quite serious.
        • Hotspur's rebellion in 1403:
          • The threat from Scotland and the actions of members of the Percy family were dangerous for HIV.
            • The Percies did not like the way they had been treated by RII so they initially supported HIV's regime and so were lavishly rewarded.
              • Hotspur was given many territories and responsibilites which provided him with military and political power in North Wales and the East March - crucial to the regimes security.
                • However, Percy became discontent with the regime for many reasons. For example, there were financial disagreements with the crown and in 1402, HIV accused Mortimer IV of being a traitor and his goods were seized.
                  • 1403: Hotspur rebelled (joined by his uncle, the earl of Worcester) - they issued proclamations against HIV and claimed their allegiance to RII - the rebels were defeated, Hotspur was killed and his body was publicly displayed.
      • 3. How did Henry IV survive the threats to his regime:
        • Late 1405: HIV was in a difficult position.
          • The cost of defence was very high which meant that the parliaments of 1404-5 were hostile towards his government and the need for taxation.
            • His enemies were assisting each other materially which was very dangerous for England - e.g. the French sent 2,500 troops to support Welsh forces in 1405.
              • HIV remained king until his death in 1413 (natural causes) as he was able to keep his throne secure.
                • His significant use of international diplomacy, especially in relation to marriage, was an important factor.
                  • His daughter's marriage (Blanche) in 1402 gave him an important ally in a location in relation to France.
                    • His other daughter's marriage (Philippa) in 1406 gave him support in his relationships with the Hanseatic League.
                      • His own marriage to Joan of Brittany in 1402 created an alliance with Brittany but he did not get much support from there.
                        • He formed informal alliances with the king of Portugal in 1400 and the king of Castile in c1402 - they were invited to become members of the Order of the Garter - it had considerable international status.
                          • The alliances were influential but the most important factor in ensuring his security was that he was able to remove alternative claimants to the throne.
                            • Henry was king because there were no viable options and he had an adult male heir who was militarily able - important for future security,
      • 2. The influence of relations with Scotland and France:
        • To secure his throne, HIV needed to establish international recognition of his right to rule.
          • Anglo-French relations were difficult - Orleans did support HB when invaded in 1399 but he actually wanted to cause difficulties for England.
            • Orleans was horrified when HB took the throne successfully so he made things as difficult as possible for him.
              • The young dowager queen should have returned to France after RII's death with her valuable dowry but in 1401, she returned without her wealth - this made Orleans want to increase HIV's embarrassment so he challenged him to armed combat twice but HIV declined because Orleans wasn't a worthy opponent (lower rank).
                • Hostilities were also increased by the status of the Duchy of Aquitaine (in Gascony) - In 1337, Edward III had renewed the English monarchy's claim to this area and refused to undertake an act of homage to the French king - this began the Hundred Years War.
                  • Territorial claims were disputed and friction increased because RII was very popular in Aquitaine but HIV was not.
                    • 1401: Charles VI granted Aquitaine to his heir, the Dauphin Louis, to insult the English which triggered an outbreak of piracy on both sides of the channel.
                      • These hostilities were very financially damaging for HIV.
                        • The French were supported by their allies, the Scots - this made the threat from the northern border greater for the Lancastrian regime.
                          • 1403: French troops invaded Aquitaine and the English army had to retreat - HIV displayed wisdom when dealing with the nobility of the area.
                            • It was a period of tension as there were French naval attacks on the English south coast in 1404.
                              • Parliament criticised him for mismanagement of royal finances (he spent a lot on the household).
        • HIV did want a more peaceful relationship with Scotland but the King of Scots, Robert III, refused to recognise the legality of the  usurpation - he made many raids on northern counties.
          • 10 November 1399: HIV informed parliament about a war against Scotland. August: he invaded with an army of 15,000 and had to borrow money to support them  (risky). They returned home at the end of the month gaining little. When he returned he had to put down the threat from Glyndwr.
            • His relationship with Scotland  remained poor throughout his reign - 1402: they took more decisive action but it caused problems for HIV's security.
    • 4. Conclusion:
      • Henry faced considerable threats in the first six years of his reign.
      • However, he was able to establish himself as the only viable leader.
      • Major opponents to his reign died  including RII, Hotspur and Scrope.
      • HIV was not in a good financial situation.
      • He had an heir, the Prince of Wales, who had proved himself as an able fighter and leader - the fact that there was an able future king reassured the nobility which made the Lancastrians more secure.

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399-1509 resources »