How significant was the Battle of St Albans 1455
The battle itself:
Lancastrians took advantage of the narrow streets to block the entry of
Yorkists.
Warwick said to attack through the gardens and into the houses.
Lancastrians were not prepared for the unorthodox attack by Warwick
and many of their men.
Henry VI was captured and taken to St Albans Abbey.
Somerset killed 4 men and then died.
Beginning of the war.
60 men died in this war.
Development of the vendettas
3 members of nobility died at St Albans.
Somerset, Northumberland, and lord Clifford – nobility.
They were Lancastrians and specific enemies of York and Nevilles.
Sons of those killed at battle wanted revenge.
E.g., son of Somerset: Henry Beaufort wanted revenge.
Impact on Henry VI
Had an impact especially because of mental health and because he was
wounded by an arrow.
Never fully recovered.
2 weeks after the battle extremely ill and the physician was summoned.
Loveday March 1458 Henry's work, able to assert some authority on
occasions.
Impact on Margaret
Found herself leader of the Lancastrian party.
York is now Margaret’s archenemy and determined to destroy him
because she thought he wanted to exclude her son and take the throne
himself.
Set up their own council and surrounded herself with those loyal to the
Lancastrian cause and heirs of those dead at St Albans.
Impact on York
Heart of policy and decision-making.
The battle itself:
Lancastrians took advantage of the narrow streets to block the entry of
Yorkists.
Warwick said to attack through the gardens and into the houses.
Lancastrians were not prepared for the unorthodox attack by Warwick
and many of their men.
Henry VI was captured and taken to St Albans Abbey.
Somerset killed 4 men and then died.
Beginning of the war.
60 men died in this war.
Development of the vendettas
3 members of nobility died at St Albans.
Somerset, Northumberland, and lord Clifford – nobility.
They were Lancastrians and specific enemies of York and Nevilles.
Sons of those killed at battle wanted revenge.
E.g., son of Somerset: Henry Beaufort wanted revenge.
Impact on Henry VI
Had an impact especially because of mental health and because he was
wounded by an arrow.
Never fully recovered.
2 weeks after the battle extremely ill and the physician was summoned.
Loveday March 1458 Henry's work, able to assert some authority on
occasions.
Impact on Margaret
Found herself leader of the Lancastrian party.
York is now Margaret’s archenemy and determined to destroy him
because she thought he wanted to exclude her son and take the throne
himself.
Set up their own council and surrounded herself with those loyal to the
Lancastrian cause and heirs of those dead at St Albans.
Impact on York
Heart of policy and decision-making.
