War of the Roses 1455-1461

Absolvation of York & Neville

Jun 1, 1455

Richard Duke of York and the Neville's absolved from events at St.Albans and all the blame shifted to the Duke of Somerset, Henry VI fell ill again, Richard began 2nd protectorate

End of Second Protectorate

Feb 1, 1456

The second protectorate ends, during the time Ricahrd Duke of York had secured his hold on Calais by paying the garrisons arrears of pay, and making Warwicks Captaincy a reality

Transfer of Court

Aug 1, 1456

Margaret convinces Henry to transfer the court from London to Kenilworth in Warwickshire, she then got him to make appointments hshe wanted, the court was full of families who dispised York

Love Day

Mar 25, 1458

Public show of reconciliation engineered by the King. A procession marched to St.Paul's cathedral with the king and former enemiesd Somerset and Salisbury, Exeter and Warwick walked hand-in-hand, the Duke of York escorted Margaret of Anjou. Afterwards there was a celebration with jousting at the Tower, at the summit just before York and Neville agreed to pay compensation for St Albans

Rift between Warwick and Margaret

Nov 1, 1458

Whilst York was away there was a large rift between Margaret and Warwick, she tried to have him arrested for crimes or piracy and inciting a riot at court - he claimed there was a plot to murder him and he fled to Calais

Blore Heath

Sep 23, 1459

Margaret was determined to crush the Yorkists, and she felt strong enough to do so, she accused York and Warwick of treason - their response was to raise an army. Richard drew from the Welsh Marches and Neville's from Yorshire and Calais. Yorkists met the royal forces at Blore Heath and they were victorious (killing Lancastrain leader Lord Audley). Following this Saisbury's men moved to Ludlowfollowed by a larger royal army

Revenge is on the Menu

Oct 1, 1459

Following Henry Vi''s recovery the court began to revive and they wanted to avemge their lost ones especially thenew Duke of Somerst Edmund Beauforts son , Henry Beaufort. Maragret of Anjou had also given birth to a son, leading up to this the Yorkists and Neville's had been excluded from government

Battle of Ludford Bridge

Oct 12, 1459

It was a disaster for the Yorkists. Troops from Calais arrived led by Andrew Trollope however they were shocked to discover they would be fighting against the King and so changed sides. York had to abandon the fight and flee. The Rebels had attracted little support but they still had vast resources

Parliament of Devils

Nov 1, 1459

Margaret wanted to follow uo the Lancastrian triumph and convinced Henry to summon Parliament to Conventry, to disgrace publically York & co. Acts of Attainder were against rebels; a legal procedure which allowed an individual to be declared a traitor. The Neville's and Yorkists faced permanent legal condemnation and the confiscation of their estates (they were not invited to the parliament)

Battle of Northampton

Jul 10, 1460

Rebels defeated the Lancastrian force at Northampton. The Yorkists captured Henry VI, He was a witness to the battle without knowing what was going on, Yorkists could now rule in the kings name and remove their enemies. The weaknesses of the Lancastrian court were exposed the rebels took control of London and the merchants backed York (supporting whoever controlled Calais) as Henry VI had allowed Warwick to remain in Calais this meant he now controlled the Crowns only standing army

Return from Ireland

Sep 1, 1460

Richard Duke of York returns from Ireland and marches to London. He arrived at the House of Lords marched in placed his hand on the empty throne; claiming it for himself. this was met with silence, even to Yorks supporters removing a king from power was a step too far

Act of Accord

Oct 25, 1460

Parliament agreed Henry VI would keep the throne but when he died it would pass to Richard and his sons (Edward Earl of March). however this was a recipe for fighting, Henry VI's son wasnt going to give up his throne, and the Yorkists realised they would have to keep fighting. Maragret was in the North with the support of many northern magantes who hated York

The Trio Return

Nov 1, 1460

Yorkists still had vast wealth and refuges where royal forces could not get them, so Salisbury, Warwick and Edward Earl of March sailed to Kent, they brouth troops and a Papal legate (Coppini), he gave spiritual significance to the Yorkist cause & excommunicated many members of the Lancastrian nobility from the Roman Catholic Church

York marches to Sandal Castle

Dec 1, 1460

York marched North to meet them however he had miscalculated the strength of the Lancastrian army and he arrived at Sandal Castle near Wakefield

Richard of York Dies

Dec 30, 1460

York sent for help from his son (Edward Earl of March) but the Yorkists were outnumbered and it was over before they arrived and so York and Salisbury were both killed and their heads put on poles and displayed on York's city walls. Edward who was now 18yrs old began recruiting troops in Wales with hopes to march on London, he had to be careful as Maragret was now free to move south

Mortimer's Cross

Feb 2, 1461

Jasper Tudor had landed in Wales with an army of French mercenaries, Tudor was a good Lancastrian, their armies met at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross near Hereford, the battle was the biggest of the War's of the roses so far, and Edward defeated Jasper Tudors army

2nd Battle of St Albans

Feb 17, 1461

Warwick was in trouble, he failed to track Maragrets army resulting in him believing that she was still a few miles away, so he changed the placement of his troops when they were attacked, this was a victory for the Lancastrians, Warwick fled the scene and the Lancastrains got back Henry VI,

Edward IV Proclaimed King

Mar 4, 1461

After the 2nd battle of S.Albans, Margaret gave the order for her army to march north, she believed her army would sack London and the rest of southern England, this allowed Edward some space as he was admitted into London as it was believed he could stop Margaret and was crowned King Edward IV

Battle of Towton

Mar 29, 1461

Edward had to face the Lancastrains befor ehe could be crowned, the battle of Towton saw the largest armies ever assembled in the kingdom, with more than 50.000 men involved. The Lancastrians were defeated and Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou and their son fled to Scotland, while Edward went to London to be crowned