Civil Strife in England: The Ambition of Richard of York and the Incompetence of Henry VI
How Far was the ambition of Richard of York the key cause to the civil strife (unrest) in England between 1450 and 1461?
It can be argued that the civil strife in England during the years 1450-1461 was the consequence of Richard of York’s ambition to be king of England. Although this is an important cause to the civil strife’s occurrence it is however not the most significant or key cause to the civil strife as the personality, actions and incomptenance of Henry VI as king of England is the major reason to why the civil strife occurred as Henry can be seen as the centre and basis of the all the factors that could arguably of caused the civil strife supported by Alison Weir: “at the centre of this bloody faction fight was the pathetic figure and the mentally unstable Henry VI whose ineptitude in government and mental incapacity gave rise to political instability, public discontent and dissensions between the great landed magnates that in turn led ultimately to war and a bitter battle over the throne itself” in her account of the civil strife, Lancaster and York: the wars of the roses in 1995.
Despite Henry VI feuding and escalating Richard of York’s ambitions to be king, York still played a key role in the cause of the civil strife. York’s personal ambition to be a part of the king’s council was stimulated from his desire to be a significant figure in England and to be recognised as a great leader; not only this but that he was indeed a magnate of the royal blood and as a rightful heir he ultimately believed he should be on the king’s council. This highlights Richard of York’s ambitions from the outset of Henrys reign. However York’s expectations of a prominent position in the counsels was soon overseen as Henry dismissed York; appearing not to accept and acknowledge his birth right. Therefore it is clear York was ambitious yet all he originally wanted was to be given the place in the King’s Counsel he was entitled to not to be king and usurp the throne. Henrys
It can be argued that the civil strife in England during the years 1450-1461 was the consequence of Richard of York’s ambition to be king of England. Although this is an important cause to the civil strife’s occurrence it is however not the most significant or key cause to the civil strife as the personality, actions and incomptenance of Henry VI as king of England is the major reason to why the civil strife occurred as Henry can be seen as the centre and basis of the all the factors that could arguably of caused the civil strife supported by Alison Weir: “at the centre of this bloody faction fight was the pathetic figure and the mentally unstable Henry VI whose ineptitude in government and mental incapacity gave rise to political instability, public discontent and dissensions between the great landed magnates that in turn led ultimately to war and a bitter battle over the throne itself” in her account of the civil strife, Lancaster and York: the wars of the roses in 1995.
Despite Henry VI feuding and escalating Richard of York’s ambitions to be king, York still played a key role in the cause of the civil strife. York’s personal ambition to be a part of the king’s council was stimulated from his desire to be a significant figure in England and to be recognised as a great leader; not only this but that he was indeed a magnate of the royal blood and as a rightful heir he ultimately believed he should be on the king’s council. This highlights Richard of York’s ambitions from the outset of Henrys reign. However York’s expectations of a prominent position in the counsels was soon overseen as Henry dismissed York; appearing not to accept and acknowledge his birth right. Therefore it is clear York was ambitious yet all he originally wanted was to be given the place in the King’s Counsel he was entitled to not to be king and usurp the throne. Henrys