OCR Specification focus:
‘Battle of St Albans (1455); capture of Henry VI; restoration of York to Protectorate.’
The First Battle of St Albans in 1455 marked a dramatic escalation of conflict between Lancastrian and Yorkist factions, shaping power struggles at the heart of government.
Background to the First Battle of St Albans
Growing Tensions
By the early 1450s, political instability in England was severe. Henry VI’s mental illness, factional rivalries, and failure in France all deepened divisions. Richard, Duke of York, had acted as Protector during Henry’s incapacity (1454), gaining influence but alienating Queen Margaret of Anjou and the Lancastrian faction, particularly Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. When Henry recovered in early 1455, York was removed from the Protectorate, provoking resentment.
Causes of Conflict
Key causes leading to open conflict included:
Personal animosity: York’s hostility towards Somerset, whom he blamed for English failures in France.
Factionalism: The court divided into Lancastrian supporters (Somerset, Queen Margaret) and Yorkist allies (notably Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick).
Breakdown of compromise: Attempts at reconciliation failed, and armed confrontation became increasingly likely.
Factionalism: Political division in which rival groups compete for influence and power, often based on loyalty to a leader or faction head.
The escalation of factionalism and distrust ensured that violence erupted rather than negotiation prevailing.
The First Battle of St Albans, 22 May 1455
Military Engagement
The First Battle of St Albans is regarded as the opening conflict of the Wars of the Roses. Yorkist forces, led by York, Warwick, and Salisbury, confronted the king’s army commanded by Somerset and loyal Lancastrians.
Yorkists numbered approximately 3,000–7,000 men, facing a slightly larger royalist force.
Fighting took place in the streets of St Albans, making it an unusual urban battle.
Plan of the First Battle of St Albans (22 May 1455) showing barricades, streets, and approaches used by Yorkist and Lancastrian forces. The diagram clarifies how combat unfolded within the town rather than in open country. Labels correspond to key lanes and market areas mentioned by contemporary accounts. Source
The Yorkists broke through after Warwick’s men attacked through alleyways and gardens, surprising the royalists.
Outcome
Lancastrian defeat: Somerset, along with key Lancastrian nobles like the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford, was killed.
Royal capture: Henry VI was seized by Yorkist forces.
Portrait of Henry VI of England, whose capture at St Albans allowed Yorkists to control the government and led to York’s restoration as Protector. The image provides a reliable visual reference for the king discussed in this section. It is not a depiction of the capture itself. Source
Symbolism: The deaths of Somerset and other nobles heightened blood feuds, entrenching divisions within the aristocracy.
Blood Feud: A cycle of revenge between noble families, often following the killing of a family member, driving continued conflict across generations.
The outcome set a precedent for violent resolution of disputes within the political community.
Capture of Henry VI
The capture of the king was significant. Although York professed loyalty to Henry, control of the monarch meant control of government. By seizing Henry, Yorkist leaders:
Presented themselves as defenders of royal authority.
Marginalised Queen Margaret, who had been building a Lancastrian party around her son, Prince Edward.
Gained leverage to re-establish York in governance.
Henry was treated respectfully but effectively became a puppet monarch, manipulated by York and his allies. His mental fragility further weakened his authority.
York’s Restoration to the Protectorate
Political Repercussions
With Henry in custody, York moved swiftly to restore his authority:
He assumed the role of Protector and Defender of the Realm once again.
Warwick, already prominent at St Albans, gained reputation as a bold commander and a loyal Yorkist supporter.
York justified his actions as necessary to restore good governance and protect the king’s dignity.
Protectorate 1455–1456
The restored Protectorate gave York control over government offices and appointments. He aimed to:
Strengthen royal finances and reduce corruption.
Limit the influence of hostile nobles.
Reinforce his alliance with the Nevilles.
However, York’s Protectorate faced challenges:
Margaret of Anjou refused to accept York’s dominance and continued to rally Lancastrian supporters.
Hostile families, embittered by deaths at St Albans, sought vengeance.
York lacked a secure power base in parliament and faced accusations of self-interest.
Broader Significance
Turning Point
The First Battle of St Albans was not a large-scale conflict by later standards, but it marked:
The beginning of the Wars of the Roses, with armed confrontation settling factional disputes.
The death of Somerset, removing York’s chief rival but creating martyrs for the Lancastrian cause.
The first demonstration of Warwick’s military and political skill, earning him the title “Kingmaker.”
Intensification of Rivalry
The capture of Henry and York’s Protectorate did not resolve the underlying crisis. Instead, it deepened divisions between the Yorkists and Lancastrians:
Margaret of Anjou became the determined leader of resistance.
The deaths of noble leaders intensified feuds, ensuring no easy reconciliation.
The precedent of seizing the king through violence destabilised the monarchy, eroding respect for royal authority.
The battle demonstrated the fragility of Henry VI’s reign and revealed how personal rivalries, combined with weak kingship, could destabilise the entire realm.
FAQ
St Albans was chosen because Henry VI’s forces halted there while moving to confront York. The narrow streets limited manoeuvres but provided natural barricades.
The urban setting allowed Warwick’s Yorkist forces to exploit side alleys and gardens to outflank Lancastrian barricades, giving them the tactical advantage. Fighting in a town also made it difficult for larger Lancastrian numbers to deploy effectively, neutralising their superior size.
The killing of Somerset, Northumberland, and Clifford created lasting vendettas. Their heirs became bitter enemies of York, driving future battles.
Somerset’s death removed York’s immediate rival but left his son, Henry Beaufort, eager for revenge.
Percy–Neville feud deepened because Northumberland was slain by Neville forces.
Clifford’s death spurred his family’s loyalty to the Lancastrian cause.
These vendettas ensured that reconciliation after 1455 became nearly impossible.
Warwick commanded a portion of Yorkist forces and gained fame for his decisive leadership. His men spearheaded the breakthrough via side routes into the town.
This earned him the reputation of a bold commander, marking the beginning of his rise to prominence as the so-called “Kingmaker.” His success also boosted Yorkist credibility, showing they could overcome larger royal forces.
After victory, York placed Henry VI under his “protection,” presenting himself as loyal while controlling the crown.
He quickly summoned a parliament to legitimise his actions, framing the Yorkist victory as a defence of the realm. By securing official sanction, York was reappointed Protector. This ensured his allies, including Warwick and Salisbury, gained influence in government positions.
Margaret refused to accept Yorkist dominance. She actively gathered support among loyal Lancastrians to prepare for future confrontation.
She began building a rival court centred around her son, Prince Edward, emphasising the legitimacy of the Lancastrian line. Her determination to resist York ensured that the conflict would not end with St Albans, but instead spiral into prolonged civil war.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
In which year did the First Battle of St Albans take place, and which Lancastrian nobleman was killed in the fighting?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year: 1455.
1 mark for correctly identifying the Lancastrian noble: Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset.
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain two consequences of the Yorkist victory at the First Battle of St Albans.
Mark Scheme:
Award up to 3 marks for each well-developed explanation.
Consequences may include, but are not limited to:
Capture of Henry VI (up to 3 marks): Yorkists gained control of the king, which allowed Richard, Duke of York, to be restored as Protector.
Death of Somerset and other Lancastrian nobles (up to 3 marks): removed York’s key rival but fuelled noble blood feuds, intensifying divisions and ensuring further conflict.
Partial explanation (identification without full development) = 1–2 marks.
Fully explained consequence (clearly linked to political or military outcomes) = 3 marks.
