Why was York restored to the Protectorate, 1455?

?
View mindmap
  • Why was York restored to the Protectorate?
    • The Yorkist victory at the Battle of St Albans, May 1455
      • Somerset, Northumberland and Clifford were all killed
        • York had finally rid the King of one of his most 'evil counsilors'
      • York was now the King's leading advisor
      • The battle got rid of Somerset but York still failed to gain the power and position he craved
      • Did not on its own lead to York's second Protectorate
      • won the battle with minimal noble support - Nevilles and Bourchiers
    • York's desire to secure his power
      • Confident that he would now be able win over nobility and parliament by showing good qualities eg leadership and policy making
      • June 1455 Somerset (now dead) was blamed for the battle
        • Concealed letters from York to the king had been held by Somerset were now circulating
          • These letters proved that York had tried to go to great lengths to avoid battle
      • Nobles were now more inclined to work and support York after the pardon
    • The promise of reform
      • introduced limits to the expenditure of the royal household
        • eg Margaret's expenditure was limited to 10,000 marks
      • declearred 'good Duke Humphrey of Gloucester' a true subject of the country
        • an attempt to popularise himself by associating himself with the Duke
      • Hope that York would continue to reform
    • Problems in the South West
      • Battle of St Albans did not bring peace
      • The failures of the Crown in the SW was the largest factor to York's Protectorate In November 1455
        • Henry had failed to do anything about the Courtenays attacking the Bonvilles in a highly illegal manner
        • Parliament gave immediate powers to York to try and solve the situationa
          • Parliament obviously saw he situtaion in the SW to be so concerning that they were willing to give York his Protectorate with full support - umlike the first one
    • The King's health
      • Autumn 1455 the King suffered a relapse in his previous illness
        • this left him incapable of governing the country - not least the SW
      • the situation the SW could not be left without any sort of reaction from the heart of government
    • Lack of an alternative to York
      • York was the obvious candidate - male and related to the king
        • Exeter argued he could've been a candidate but it is believed he is too unstable and was condemned as a traitor by York
      • even if the King had not suffered a relapse - the situation in the SW needed to be resolved

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Wars of the Roses resources »