Summary Richard Duke of York

Background-
 1450- Suffolk killed, York in Ireland, Normandy lost and Cade’s rebellion
 York travelled through North Wales and through his estates, strengthening his military
entourage which made the king and Somerset more suspicious of him



What did York want to achieve on his return from Ireland-
 Was in Ireland when Normandy was lost
 Returned without being asked to a harsh reception in North Wales
 Somerset filled the gap left by Suffolk after defeat in Normandy
 York claimed the king tried to have him arrested when trying to travel through north wales-
signified the lack of trust on both sides



1. To clear his name-
 Mortimer in rebel manifesto
 Call to take advice from York instead of Suffolk
 Pointed to York’s claim to the throne even though he wanted to replace somerset
 York was fearful of how the Duke of Gloucester had been treated
 Headed for London with 3,000 men
 Seemed his return was an answer to the call of the rebels
 Waited 2 months before his return
 Throughout the journey sent letters to the king declaring his loyalty but did little to ease
tensions or suspicions



2. To get his loans repaid-
 He was the wealthiest noble in England
 His position demanded that he pay retainers and keep us appearances
 By 1450 he had to sell lands to make ends meet
 Owed £26,000 by the government
 Had not been paid for his lieutenancy in Ireland
 Threatened earlier in the year to return to England
 Somerset was having his war loans paid over York



3. To protect his position-
 He was the senior nobleman and so felt he deserved the position of chief advisor
 He feared being side-lined again and wanted to protect his position as heir presumptive
 If he was found guilty of treason, Somerset may have taken his place as heir presumptive



4. To remove Somerset-
 York blamed the loss of Normandy on Somerset
 York and Somerset were rivals and highly suspicious of each other

, Dartford Coup 1452-
Background-

 In September 1451, York turned down the offer to join the King’s council at Coventry and
returned to Ludlow which is when York decided force was his only option
 Organised propaganda- intention to bring good governance and rid the king of evil advisors
 Pro-York demonstrations



Causes-

 Acted against his enemies before they acted against him even though there was no evidence
that Somerset was planning to act against him
 Somerset’s failure in France
 York had failed to gain power through the government
 Henry VI’s favouritism of Somerset
 York thought Somerset was unpunished
 Somerset got the rewards and positions that York wanted
 York thought he should be in power



Events-

 With the support of the Earl of Devon and Lord Cobham, York rode from Ludlow to London
with an army
 Propaganda to gain support while still declaring their loyalty
 No other nobles joined
 London failed to rise and shut its gates to him
 2nd March 1452- reached Dartford and met the king with a strong army
 Buckingham, Salisbury, and Warwick who used to support York turned to the King’s side
 York was forced to submit to the king and give his list of complaints against Somerset



Reasons for a lack of success-

 Henry was active in overseeing justice in the south of England
 The majority of the nobility were unwilling to rise in support of York
 York’s use of letters actually warned the king
 London was loyal to the king and Kent did not rise
 There was more prosperity and so less discontent
 York’s demands were too personal and looked like treason
 However, he did raise and army of 20,000 and 18 months later he was regent



Consequences-

 York had to complete an oath of allegiance and forced to swear never to use force for
political means
 No charge of treason/ execution and imprisonment