Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
Richard, Duke of York was responsible for his own downfall.
Source A: An account written in England for the Duke of Burgundy on the events of 1455.
The Duke of York said he had by no means come against the King and was always ready to do him obedience, but he intended in all ways to have the traitors who were with the King so that they could be punished, and that if he could not have them by friendly and voluntary means he intended to have them in any event by force. Reply was made on the King’s behalf that he did not have any traitors near him except the Duke of York himself who had risen against the crown. But before this reply came to the Duke of York a skirmish had already started between the men of both sides ….
The Dijon Relation, 1455
Source B: An extract from the Act of Accord of October 24, 1460.
It is accorded, appointed and agreed, that the said Richard, Duke of York be entitled, called and reputed from henceforth, very and rightful heir to the Crowns, Royal Estate, Dignity and Lordship above said; and after the death of the said Henry, the said Duke and his heirs, shall immediately succeed to the Crowns, Royal Estate, Dignity and Lordship.
The Act of Accord, 1460
Source C: An account of the Battle of Wakefield in December, 1460.
On December 21 the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury came to Sandal Castle where they spent Christmas, the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Northumberland with the opposite party lying meanwhile at Pontefract. King Henry with the Earl of Warwick spent Christmas at St Paul’s and Edward, Earl of March, spent Christmas at Shrewsbury. On December 29 at Wakefield when the Duke of York’s men were roaming through the countryside for victuals, a horrible battle took place between them and the Duke of Somerset, Earl of Northumberland and Lord Neville with a great army; and there were killed in the field the Duke of York, Thomas Neville, son of the Earl of Salisbury, Thomas Haryngtone, Thomas Parre, Edward Boucher and many other knights, squires and common soldiers to the number of 2000. After the battle Lord de Clyfforde killed Lord Edmund, the Earl of Rutland, son of the Duke of York, on the bridge at Wakefield as he fled. On the morrow at Pontefract the Bastard of Exeter killed the Earl of Salisbury and beheaded the body of the Duke of York, placing his head on a gateway in York and in contempt crowning it with a paper crown.
The Annals of William of Worcester, 1461
Source D: An account of the actions of Edward, Earl of March in early 1461.
Edward, Earl of March, the Duke of York’s son and heir, had a great victory at Mortimer’s Cross in Wales the 2nd day of February next following, and there he put to flight the Earl of Pembroke and the Earl of Wiltshire. And there he took and slew knights and squires and others to the number of 3000. And in that conflict Owen Tudor was taken and beheaded at the market place, and his head was set on the highest pinnacle of the market cross … over the Earl of March his men saw three suns shining.
Gregory’s Chronicle, 1461
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Answer
