Oxford Cambridge and RSA - 2025
Friday 6 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y105/01 England 1445–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
(Verified Question Paper With Mark
Scheme Combined June 2025)
, INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in
Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
**
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[L/506/4254] DC (KS)
Charity Turn over
359110/2
, 2
Section A
Wars of the Roses 1445–1461
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Richard, Duke of York’s reaction to the birth of Henry VI’s heir demonstrated his
loyalty.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this
view. [30]
Source A: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a vicar in the mid-fifteenth
century, but probably copying another work by an exceptionally well-informed Londoner who
was possibly Clerk to the Signet.
The king became very ill at Clarendon and, although he eventually recovered, his sickness
lasted a long time. On 13 October, 1453, Edward, son of King Henry VI, was born at
Westminster and baptised with great solemnity. When the royal council realised the
king’s health was not improving and feared the ruin of the realm under the duke of
Somerset’s governance was imminent, the magnates of the kingdom sent for the duke of
York who came to the council with a small retinue. The duke of Somerset was charged
with treason on many counts and this evil man arrested. In February, 1454, Parliament
made the duke of York lieutenant of the realm.
Benet’s Chronicle
Source B: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a London lawyer and judge who
also served as an elected notary of the city before dying in 1461.
In the summer of 1453, the king suddenly lost his wit and reason. On October 13, the
queen had a prince, on account of which bells rang in every church and Te Deum* was
solemnly sung, though the people spoke strangely of this birth. The duke of Somerset was
committed to the Tower as a prisoner and soon afterwards the duke of York was made
protector of England and the earl of Salisbury chancellor and they honourably ruled and
governed. On January 26, 1455, the duke of Somerset was taken out of the Tower and, as
a result, the duke of York gave up the king’s sword and ceased to be protector.
*Te Deum – a hymn praising God, sung on special occasions
Bale’s Chronicle
Source C: A letter sent from London to the duke of Norfolk, describing events there and
included in the correspondence of a prominent Norfolk gentry family.
At prince Edward’s coming to Windsor, the duke of Buckingham took him in his arms and
presented him to the king, but the king gave no answer. The queen desired the king to
bless her son but she, too, departed without any expression from the king. The duke of
York will be in London next Friday night with his household retinue, well-attired and likely
men. The earl of March comes with him with another good fellowship of men, with
jackets, helmets and other armour. The earls of Salisbury, Warwick, Richmond and
Pembroke come with the duke of York, too, each with a goodly fellowship of men while
© OCR Y105/01
2025 Jun25
Friday 6 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y105/01 England 1445–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
(Verified Question Paper With Mark
Scheme Combined June 2025)
, INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in
Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
**
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[L/506/4254] DC (KS)
Charity Turn over
359110/2
, 2
Section A
Wars of the Roses 1445–1461
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Richard, Duke of York’s reaction to the birth of Henry VI’s heir demonstrated his
loyalty.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this
view. [30]
Source A: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a vicar in the mid-fifteenth
century, but probably copying another work by an exceptionally well-informed Londoner who
was possibly Clerk to the Signet.
The king became very ill at Clarendon and, although he eventually recovered, his sickness
lasted a long time. On 13 October, 1453, Edward, son of King Henry VI, was born at
Westminster and baptised with great solemnity. When the royal council realised the
king’s health was not improving and feared the ruin of the realm under the duke of
Somerset’s governance was imminent, the magnates of the kingdom sent for the duke of
York who came to the council with a small retinue. The duke of Somerset was charged
with treason on many counts and this evil man arrested. In February, 1454, Parliament
made the duke of York lieutenant of the realm.
Benet’s Chronicle
Source B: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a London lawyer and judge who
also served as an elected notary of the city before dying in 1461.
In the summer of 1453, the king suddenly lost his wit and reason. On October 13, the
queen had a prince, on account of which bells rang in every church and Te Deum* was
solemnly sung, though the people spoke strangely of this birth. The duke of Somerset was
committed to the Tower as a prisoner and soon afterwards the duke of York was made
protector of England and the earl of Salisbury chancellor and they honourably ruled and
governed. On January 26, 1455, the duke of Somerset was taken out of the Tower and, as
a result, the duke of York gave up the king’s sword and ceased to be protector.
*Te Deum – a hymn praising God, sung on special occasions
Bale’s Chronicle
Source C: A letter sent from London to the duke of Norfolk, describing events there and
included in the correspondence of a prominent Norfolk gentry family.
At prince Edward’s coming to Windsor, the duke of Buckingham took him in his arms and
presented him to the king, but the king gave no answer. The queen desired the king to
bless her son but she, too, departed without any expression from the king. The duke of
York will be in London next Friday night with his household retinue, well-attired and likely
men. The earl of March comes with him with another good fellowship of men, with
jackets, helmets and other armour. The earls of Salisbury, Warwick, Richmond and
Pembroke come with the duke of York, too, each with a goodly fellowship of men while
© OCR Y105/01
2025 Jun25
