Causes of the Wars of the Roses

Causes of the Wars of the Roses

1. Henry VI is a bad king

   • Lost a huge amount of money
     • had to sell the crown jewels
   • Castor described him as "gentle" and "passive"
     • Didn't fight
   • Didn't unite the nobles
     • Couldn't stop D of Y and D of S fighting

2. Public opinion

   • peasants were politically aware
     • Peasants revolt and Cade's rebellion
     • Knew what had gone wrong
       • demands of Cade's rebellion
   • Supported York
   • Blamed the Duke of Suffolk
     • He was murdered
     • Kings main advisor
       • No clear chief advisor when Henry VI is ill

3. Enmity between D of York and the D of Summerset

   • Summerset lost the 100 years war
     • Surrendered Normandy without fighting
   • King supports summerset
     • Nobles support summerset
       • Don't want the peasants having their say
   • Summerset is given the job of chief advisor
   • York fails to overthrow summerset twice
     • 1451 and 1452
   • The peasants support York

4. Henry VI's illness and defeat in France

   • 1453 - England lost the 100 years war
     • would France invade?
       • Could Summerset defend England?
   • 1453/4 - Henry VI's mental breakdown
     • Fighting between Y and S intensifies
     • A great council is called
       • To decide how the country should be run
       • York was declared Protectorate
         • Had the backing of Warrick and Cromwell
         • Swears aligance to Edward Prince of Wales

5. Feuds between nobles

   • Exeter planned to assasinate York
     • York had him imprisoned
     • Threat to the Lancastrians?
   • Helped split the nobles into two sides

6. Jan 1454 - Henry VI's recovery

   • York had to resign
   • Summerset was released
   • Ended the relativly stable of York

7. Mutual fear

   • Summerset's fear
     • If HenryVI fell ill again York would have try him for treason
   • York's fear
     • Summerset will want revenge
     • York would have the support of Warrick if he attacked
   • Leads to the Battle of St Albans