Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the mental breakdown of Henry VI in 1453 was the main reason for the outbreak of the Wars of the
Roses.
Source A: A view of the character of Henry VI, from a contemporary English chronicler, the Abbot of St Albans.
A disease and disorder of such a sort overcame the King in 1453 that he lost his wits and memory for a time, and nearly all his body was so out of control that he could neither walk, nor hold his head upright, nor easily move from where he sat. Henry VI was his mother’s stupid offspring, not his father’s, a son lacking the strength of the father, who did not cultivate the art of war, a mild-spoken, pious king, but half-witted in affairs of state.
Whethamsted’s Register, 1465
Source B: The description, by an English chronicler who was a vicar in Bedfordshire, of an attack on the Duke of Somerset in 1450.
All the dukes, earls and barons came to Parliament with considerable bodies of well-armed men. They realised that neither the King nor his advisers were taking action to punish those who were accused of treason, particularly the Duke of Somerset, who had so carelessly and humiliatingly lost Normandy. The lords’ men called upon the King three times to provide justice against the traitors and punish them. The following afternoon almost 1,000 well-armed men attacked the Duke of Somerset and would have slain him had not the Earl of Devon pacified them.
Benet’s Chronicle, 1462
Source C: A Burgundian chronicler’s description of relations at Henry VI’s court at the end of the 1440s.
The very noble Duke of York, governor of all England’s French territories, had been appointed by Henry V. He governed admirably and had many notable successes. Everything he did was highly commendable and he served his king with reverence and loyalty to the benefit of the country. Envy prompted the Duke of Somerset to despise and harm the Duke of York and he was well-liked by Queen Margaret, herself the French King’s niece. She worked on her husband to strip York of his authority in France and to replace him with Somerset. The simple-minded Henry VI was neither intelligent enough nor experienced enough to govern successfully.
Waurin’s Chronicle, compiled between the 1440s and 1470s
Source D: A contemporary English chronicler’s account of the years 1454 and 1455.
During the King’s sickness, the Duke of York was made Protector of England, making the Duke of Somerset greatly indignant and determined to speak ill of him and stir the King against him. Nevertheless, many of the lords of the Council favoured York more than him. The Duke of Somerset was therefore committed to the Tower by the Council: however, thanks to the mediation of friends he was soon delivered on condition he never after sought governance of the realm or came within twenty miles of the King. He swore to observe these conditions, but, after his release, maliciously stirred the King against York, Salisbury and Warwick. However, at St Albans, he fell into the same trap he had ordained for them.
An English Chronicle, written soon after 1461
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Answer
