The War of the Roses – Part 1
‘He was York’s favourite son, was Duke Dick!
Now it looked like he was becoming the national pick!’
However, York had a formidable adversary in the Queen, Margaret of Anjou. She was convinced that York was planning to secure the throne for himself. This was something that Queen Margaret would oppose with every fibre of her being. The Queen was determined that her infant son, Prince Edward would succeed his father, the emotionally fragile Henry VI.
Margaret of Anjou.
‘My son, the Prince Edward will inherit his father’s regal role!
To this noble endeavour, I hereby pledge my heart and soul!’
As a precaution Queen Margaret persuaded Henry to move the court from London, which was Yorkist in its sympathies, to Coventry, which was close to the Lancastrian heartlands. For all practical purposes the Queen was the reigning sovereign as Henry’s mental state continued to deteriorate. In March 1458, a Mass of reconciliation between the Lancastrians and Yorkists was held at St Pauls Cathedral in London. It was entitled a ‘loveday’, and characteristically, it was the idea of the king.
Henry VI, present in body, but barely in mind, presides over what remains of his court.
As both factions entered the Cathedral, they were led by the Queen and the Duke of York who proceeded hand in hand. However, this mood of love and reconciliation was not to endure.
‘Queen Margaret and Richard of York walked into the House of God holding hands!
Despite the smiles of all those present, rancour ran rife amongst their respective loyal bands!’
Conflict was not long in coming. The Queen had been preparing for war for quite some time. There followed a series of battles, beginning with the Battle of Blore Heath at Market Drayton, Shropshire in September 1459.
Round 2: The battle of Blore Heath, September 23rd 1459.
The Battle of Blore Heath.
Result: A Yorkist victory.
Round 3: The Battle of Ludlow Bridge, October 12th 1459.
The Lancastrians were not long in making the score even at the Battle of Ludford Bridge, also in Shropshire the following month.
The Battle of Ludlow Bridge.
Result: A Lancastrian victory.
Round 3: The Battle of Northampton, July 10th 1460.
This was a most humiliating defeat for the House of Lancaster, King Henry was taken captive. This relatively small scale military engagement had important consequences and York intended to press his advantage.
Result: A major Yorkist victory.
The king’s mental health meant that he could no longer function effectively and York demanded that he become the monarch in Henry’s place.
‘Tis clear that the king has lost all sense of reason!
I will be your king for this, and every one of, the four seasons!’
This was too much for the House of Lords as Henry, whatever his mental state, was still the anointed king. It was agreed that York would become king in the event of Henry’s abdication or death.
This of course meant that Henry’s own son, Edward the Prince of Wales had been disinherited. Queen Margaret’ fury knew no limits, her hatred of York reaching boiling point. Having once taken York’s hand in friendship, she now set about seeking his head in order to it place upon a pole.