War of the Roses Essay Plans

EDWARD'S FIRST RULE

The Lancastrian problem

• Policy of conciliation, Henry Beaufort: Lord Chamberlain, jousting, Sir Ralph Percy: gave back land, forgiven. Didn't have resources, exploited defeated Lancastrians to reward others. 
• Defeating the Lancastrian opposition in battle, Hexham, Hedgeley Moor, William Herbert - Wales, Earl of Oxford executed 1462.
• Lancastrian royals, had fled to Soctland, captured but worried executing 'harmless Henry' would upset nobles. 

Relations with the nobility

• Created new nobles, Hastings head of household, Herbert controlled Wales.
• Too narrow, reliant on Neville family. Reliance on small group.
• Created/revived 22 titles (title doesn't equal land).
• Policy of conciliation broadened but sometimes backfired.
• Duke of Clarence lands £3660.
• Too few stood by Edward in 1470.

Law and order

• Personal interest, supervised treason cases.
• Toured areas of disturbance - north, Midlands.
• Family feuds.
• Restricted retaining (didn't enforce).
• Disorder on increase toward end - discontent poor harvests, economic hardships, taxation waste. 

Royal finances

• Tax 2x in first reign, 1463 Scotland, 1468 France.
• Neither war happened, dealing with Lancastrians.
• Tax paid by all, infrequent = very aware of it. 
• Improved administration and efficiency of Exchequer. 
• Recuced cost of his household/court.

Marriage and an heir

• Warwick trying to secure with Bona of Savoy for French alliance. 
• Elizabeth Woodville - secret, widow, no financial gain.
• Warwick - Woodvilles greedy.
• Edward had to reward family but not make others jealous, father - Earl/Treasurer of England, at expense of Warwick's uncle Lord Mountjoy.
• Noble marriages angered Warwick. Thomas, Elizabeth's son, wealthy heiress Anne Holland - already betrothed to Warwick's nephew. 

Foreign policy

• France vs. Burgundy - 1467 chose Burgundy. 
• Earl of Rivers negotiated Burgundy. Edward married sister Margaret to Charles. Ended trade war (cloth).
• Failed to persuade the Hanseatic League to trade. 
• Warwick negotiating France - choice of Burgungy = declining influence.
• Louis began to increase Lancastrian support.

STILL VULNERABLE 1465-69

• Limited committed military support.
• Growing disorder/unhappiness.
• Taxation for war not fought.
• Revival of Lancastrian plots.
• Economy - recession, lack of prosperity.
• Possibility of French invasion.
• Henry VII.
• Some nobles using 'heavy lordship' e.g. Rivers.

EDWARD LOSES THE THRONE 1470

Warwick

• Joined forces with Lancastrians, Margaret and Louis XI.
• Always wanted more - clashed with Herbert over Wales.
• Inspired risings in north, Took advantage of the distraction to go to Calais.
• Manifesto complaining about evil councillors, financial shortcomings and lawlessness.
• Victory at Edgecote.
• Continued to stir up rebellion in Lincolnshire.
• Had been key supporter.
• Wanted daughter Isobel to marry George, Edward wanted him to marry foreign princess.
• Edward rewarded new/Lancastrian nobles at his expense. Too influential.
• Edward sacked brother, thinks he can rule independently.
• Burgundy.
• Family marriages.

Edward IV's mistakes

• Burgundy - France large power, market, Louis XI.
• Young and inexperienced.
• Choice of bride alienated Warwick - foreign alliance opportunity?
• Treatment of Lord Montagu - Earl of Northumberland to Percy family. Defected to brother's side. 

Louis XI

• Saw opportunity to bring Warwick and Margaret together, put Henry on the throne.
• Puppet king.
• Deteriorating relations.

Margaret of Anjou

• Louis XI. 
• Put aside personal animosity for Warwick, met to forgive at…