The Wars of the Roses – Part 2
‘You ask what is my most earnest and sincere goal?
‘Tis to have the Duke of York’s severed head placed high upon a pole!’
Then upon his traitorous head we will place a paper crown!
Thus having been duly crowned, he will wear no smile, but instead a deadly frown!’
So sayeth Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England.
Queen Margaret of England
The Queen did not have to wait long for her revenge on the Duke of York.
Round 4: The Battle of Wakefield, December 30th, 1460.
A Lancastrian army engaged the Duke of York at Wakefield in Yorkshire. The battle was keenly watched by the Queen and her son, Edward. The Yorkists were defeated.
Result: A major Lancastrian victory.
The Queen and Prince Edward watch the battle.
‘Of this battle dear son, you are the most interested spectator!
See how victory and justice has come to us sooner, rather than later!’
Learning of her victory, and that York had been killed, the Queen could hardly contain her delight. Of course this was royal business, but it was also personal, very personal. She now issued her instructions:
‘From Richard of York’s lifeless body, his traitorous head, you must tear!
He has long sought England’s jewelled crown, but now it is a paper one that he will wear!’
The Queen was granted her greatest wish. Richard, Duke of York’s corpse, was beheaded and then mounted high on a pole. Upon his severed head, Lancastrian soldiers, as they had been ordered, placed a paper crown.
Round 5: The second Battle of St Albans February 17th, 1461.
Margaret, greatly heartened by her victory at Wakefield and the death of York, marched south with a view to taking London. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, rode out of the capital with a Yorkist army to engage Margaret.
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
Warwick decided to take the captive Henry VI with him. Perhaps he thought that when Margaret realised that her husband, the king, was actually in the Yorkist camp she would lose heart and beat a hasty retreat.
‘When Queen Margaret learns that we have the king here in tow!
She will become distressed, and with her forces, retreat and northwards go!’
If this is what Warwick was thinking, he was badly mistaken. When the two armies met at St Albans on February 17th, Margaret urged her Lancastrian army forward with gusto.
The Second Battle of St Albans.
Inflicting heavy casualties upon the Yorkists, the Lancastrians drove the enemy from the field. The king was found nearby, sitting under a tree and singing to himself.
‘The king was found under a tree, singing softly as he sat!
As for the savage sights and sounds of the battle, not an eyelid did he bat!’
Result: A Lancastrian victory.
Margaret had removed the obstacle preventing her from reaching London. With Henry at her side, the Queen smiling broadly, rode up to the city gates.
‘Oh! Oh! The joy of once again, seeing London town!
But soon Margaret’s smile turned into a frown!
However, the Londoners had heard bloodcurdling stories of the rapacious conduct of the Lancastrian soldiers and refused to open the gates to them. The Queen had no choice but to turn and ride northwards. Margaret was later to learn that when another of royal blood approached the gates of London, he was accorded a most warm welcome.
‘Queen Margaret, you may have rid yourself of one Duke of York!
But he had a son, Edward, who with great fanfare, through London’s gates would walk!’