Essay Plans Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII 1399-1509
‘Lollardy posed a significant challenge to Henry V’s rule’ (Depth - 2021)
How far do you agree with this statement?
• Arguments/evidence Lollardy posed significant challenge Henry V’s rule:
➢ Beliefs Lollards posed fundamental challenge basis society + Henry V’s rule
➢ John Oldcastle’s rebellion (1414) posed challenge Henry as former close associate/supporter
➢ Rebellion took place when Henry V relatively new to throne + yet consolidate position
➢ John Oldcastle tried/found guilty 1413, not captured until 1417 → posed threat no. years
➢ Challenge raised concerns domestic security of kingdom; parliament passed Statute of Lollards (1414): increased role
secular authorities investigating + prosecuting heresy
• Arguments/evidence Lollardy didn’t pose significant threat Henry V’s rule:
➢ Henry acted decisively + quickly put down rebellion: put down before rebels left St Giles’ Fields + 69 rebels convicted/ 38
hung
➢ Oldcastle’s rebellion not joined by any greater nobles in country + lesser challenge Henry V’s rule
➢ After 1515: no further serious rebellion against Henry V, despite frequent absences France
➢ Oldcastle captured 1417 + executed for treason
➢ Lollardy outlawed + no religious reform took place: extent of Henry V’s control
‘It was relations with foreign powers that had the greatest impact on the stability of Henry IV’s reign in the
years 1399-1405.’ (Depth – 2021)
How far do you agree with this judgement?
‘Henry VI lost his throne in 1461 due to the role of Margaret of Anjou’ (Depth – 2020)
How far do you agree with this judgement?
• Arguments/evidence that Henry VI lost his throne in 1461 due to the role of Margaret of Anjou:
➢ Margaret’s plan become regent 1454 alienated nobility + sent Neville’s to Yorkist’s side
➢ Margaret’s promotion of William de la Pole (Duke of Suffolk) in 1448 upset the Yorkists + associated with defeat in France
+ loss of Normandy
➢ Margaret’s use royal resources helped impoverish crown, hindering Henry’s ability maintain control crown
➢ Margaret alienated the Neville’s through patronage, appointing member of her household, Lawrence Booth, as Bishop of
Durham 1457
➢ Margaret’s failure take London following Lancastrian victories Wakefield + St Albans 1461 contributed Henry V’s loss of
throne
• Arguments/evidence that Henry VI lost his throne in 1461 not due to the role of Margaret of Anjou:
➢ Henry VI totally inadequate as ruler + mental stupor 1453 renewed focus on succession + issue of government
➢ Margaret described as ‘the champion of Lancastrian interests’: strong willed + decisive at key points
➢ Margaret played vital role suppressing Cade’s rebellion 1450, enabling Henry maintain hold on throne for longer
➢ Margaret oversaw withdrawal of government to Lancastrian strongholds in the Midlands in 1458
➢ Margaret gained an ally in the Duke of Buckingham + her success at Ludford Bridge 1459 led to the exile of the Yorkists
➢ Edward’s (IV’s)charisma + abilities as soldier/tactician enabled him defeat Lancastrians at Mortimer’s Cross + then Towton
1461
➢ The collapse of royal finances with the decline of customs duties and the cost of the war with France meant that the
impoverishment of the crown was politically destabilising
‘It was the role of major nobles in offices of state and church that allowed monarchs to govern effectively in the
years 1399–1509’ (Breadth 2020)
How far do you agree with this judgement?
• Arguments/evidence that it was the support of major nobles in offices of state and church that allowed monarchs to govern
effectively in the years 1399-1509:
➢ The ability of the monarch to govern was enhanced by the maintenance of a positive relationship with nobles holdings
offices of church: Thomas Arundel and his role of Archbishop of Canterbury in the events of 1399 and subsequently to
1414
➢ Henry Beaufort essential prop to Crown as Bishop of Winchester as Cardinal from 1426
➢ Throughout period, monarchs relied on advice major nobles on their councils, e.g. Richard III gave Lincoln + Huntingdon
positions on his council
➢ Outer regions dominated by greater nobility, who were needed to control these areas. e.g. the Percys + Nevilles (usually
held wardenships of East + West Marches in North)
‘Lollardy posed a significant challenge to Henry V’s rule’ (Depth - 2021)
How far do you agree with this statement?
• Arguments/evidence Lollardy posed significant challenge Henry V’s rule:
➢ Beliefs Lollards posed fundamental challenge basis society + Henry V’s rule
➢ John Oldcastle’s rebellion (1414) posed challenge Henry as former close associate/supporter
➢ Rebellion took place when Henry V relatively new to throne + yet consolidate position
➢ John Oldcastle tried/found guilty 1413, not captured until 1417 → posed threat no. years
➢ Challenge raised concerns domestic security of kingdom; parliament passed Statute of Lollards (1414): increased role
secular authorities investigating + prosecuting heresy
• Arguments/evidence Lollardy didn’t pose significant threat Henry V’s rule:
➢ Henry acted decisively + quickly put down rebellion: put down before rebels left St Giles’ Fields + 69 rebels convicted/ 38
hung
➢ Oldcastle’s rebellion not joined by any greater nobles in country + lesser challenge Henry V’s rule
➢ After 1515: no further serious rebellion against Henry V, despite frequent absences France
➢ Oldcastle captured 1417 + executed for treason
➢ Lollardy outlawed + no religious reform took place: extent of Henry V’s control
‘It was relations with foreign powers that had the greatest impact on the stability of Henry IV’s reign in the
years 1399-1405.’ (Depth – 2021)
How far do you agree with this judgement?
‘Henry VI lost his throne in 1461 due to the role of Margaret of Anjou’ (Depth – 2020)
How far do you agree with this judgement?
• Arguments/evidence that Henry VI lost his throne in 1461 due to the role of Margaret of Anjou:
➢ Margaret’s plan become regent 1454 alienated nobility + sent Neville’s to Yorkist’s side
➢ Margaret’s promotion of William de la Pole (Duke of Suffolk) in 1448 upset the Yorkists + associated with defeat in France
+ loss of Normandy
➢ Margaret’s use royal resources helped impoverish crown, hindering Henry’s ability maintain control crown
➢ Margaret alienated the Neville’s through patronage, appointing member of her household, Lawrence Booth, as Bishop of
Durham 1457
➢ Margaret’s failure take London following Lancastrian victories Wakefield + St Albans 1461 contributed Henry V’s loss of
throne
• Arguments/evidence that Henry VI lost his throne in 1461 not due to the role of Margaret of Anjou:
➢ Henry VI totally inadequate as ruler + mental stupor 1453 renewed focus on succession + issue of government
➢ Margaret described as ‘the champion of Lancastrian interests’: strong willed + decisive at key points
➢ Margaret played vital role suppressing Cade’s rebellion 1450, enabling Henry maintain hold on throne for longer
➢ Margaret oversaw withdrawal of government to Lancastrian strongholds in the Midlands in 1458
➢ Margaret gained an ally in the Duke of Buckingham + her success at Ludford Bridge 1459 led to the exile of the Yorkists
➢ Edward’s (IV’s)charisma + abilities as soldier/tactician enabled him defeat Lancastrians at Mortimer’s Cross + then Towton
1461
➢ The collapse of royal finances with the decline of customs duties and the cost of the war with France meant that the
impoverishment of the crown was politically destabilising
‘It was the role of major nobles in offices of state and church that allowed monarchs to govern effectively in the
years 1399–1509’ (Breadth 2020)
How far do you agree with this judgement?
• Arguments/evidence that it was the support of major nobles in offices of state and church that allowed monarchs to govern
effectively in the years 1399-1509:
➢ The ability of the monarch to govern was enhanced by the maintenance of a positive relationship with nobles holdings
offices of church: Thomas Arundel and his role of Archbishop of Canterbury in the events of 1399 and subsequently to
1414
➢ Henry Beaufort essential prop to Crown as Bishop of Winchester as Cardinal from 1426
➢ Throughout period, monarchs relied on advice major nobles on their councils, e.g. Richard III gave Lincoln + Huntingdon
positions on his council
➢ Outer regions dominated by greater nobility, who were needed to control these areas. e.g. the Percys + Nevilles (usually
held wardenships of East + West Marches in North)
