King Henry VI the Last Lancastrian King
King Henry VI was the son of Henry V and Catherine of Valois. A gentle, kind, pious and generous king, Henry VI was very different to past warrior kings. His reign was long, but fraught by insanity and civil war. Despite the valiant efforts of his wife, Queen Margaret of Anjou, to keep him on the throne, Henry VI submitted to Richard, Duke of York as Protector of the Realm. This ultimately led to the famous Wars of the Roses, between the houses of Lancaster and York. Henry VI lost his crown to the Duke’s son, Edward IV, but it returned briefly, before being removed once more. He lost his son before losing his own life.
| Born | 6 December 1421, Windsor Castle |
| Parents | Henry V and Catherine of Valois |
| Married | Margaret of Anjou |
| Children | 1, Edward of Westminster |
| Died | 21 May 1471, Tower of London, buried at Chertsey, reburied at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle (49) |
| Reign | 1422 - 1461 (38) and 1470-1471 (5 months) |
| Crowned | 6 November 1429, Westminster Abbey (7) |
| Predecessor | Henry V (father) |
| Successor | Edward IV (third cousin) |
| House | Lancaster |
Life Events of King Henry VI
1421
On 6 December, Henry VI is born to Henry V and Catherine of Valois, at Windsor Castle. He would never meet his father, Henry V, who was away in France, where he died 9 months later.
1422
Henry VI accedes to the throne of England at just 9 months old. A month later, he accedes to the throne of France too, on the death of his grandfather, Charles VI of France.
1429
Joan of Arc, the peasant girl from Domrémy, France believes God has chosen her to lead France against England. Her campaign begins.
1431
Joan of Arc is captured by the English, after leading French victories, including the siege of Orleans, expelling the English from all northern France, except Calais. Joan is burned at the stake in Rouen, on 30 May, aged 19.
1437
King Henry VI has come of age, and rules England without the regents.
1453
On 17 July, English defeat at the Battle of Castillon marks the end of the Hundred Years War with France.
1454
Henry VI’s illness forces Richard, Duke of York to assume Protector of the Realm.
1455
Richard, Duke of York and Protector of the Realm is dismissed, as Henry VI gathers his senses. York and Warwick raise an army, and attack Lancastrian forces, including King Henry VI, at the First Battle of St Albans. The Lancastrian leader, Edmund, Duke of Somerset, is killed. King Henry VI is captured by York, who regains control of England.
1459
On 23 September, Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury leads a Yorkist army south to join Richard, Duke of York’s forces at Ludlow. They are intercepted by a larger Lancastrian army, led by Lord Audley, at Blore Heath. The Lancastrians struggle with marshland underfoot, and are decisively defeated by Salisbury at the Battle of Blore Heath.
1459
Three weeks later, Richard, Duke of York, and the Nevilles, Richard, Earl of Salisbury and Richard, Earl of Warwick, are positioned at Ludlow. A large Lancastrian army, led by King Henry VI arrives, and the king offers a pardon to all but Salisbury at the Battle of Ludford Bridge. Warwick’s men from Calais refuse to fight the king, and switch sides. York, Salisbury and Warwick flee in the night, leaving their troops to surrender to the king the next day.
1460
In January, the exiled Warwick returns from Calais, and captures a Lancastrian fleet off Sandwich. Unopposed, Warwick sails to Ireland to join Richard, Duke of York.
1460
In June, Warwick and Salisbury land again at Sandwich, and march to London. On route, they gather more men. Salisbury lays siege to the Tower of London, while Warwick continues north.
1460
On 10 July, Warwick’s army attacks Henry VI’s Lancastrian force at Northampton, determined to seek out the nobles, rather than the king himself. Lord Grey, on the Lancastrian side, switches sides, and allows Warwick through. The Battle of Northampton sees the Lancastrian leaders executed, and King Henry VI is once again captured. Queen Margaret escapes to Scotland. Richard, Duke of York is once again Protector of the Realm.
1460
On 30 December, Queen Margaret returns with an army and attacks Richard, Duke of York at the Battle of Wakefield, outside his own Sandal Castle. York leaves his castle to fight, and is killed in the battle. Salisbury is captured and later executed.
1461
On 2 February, Edward, Earl of March, son of the late Duke of York, defeats a Lancastrian army, led by Jasper Tudor, at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross.
1461
On 17 February, Earl Warwick is stationed in St Albans, preparing to defend the town. Queen Margaret’s army marches south from Wakefield, and attacks Warwick in the Second Battle of St Albans. The Lancastrians are victorious, and Warwick retreats to London.
1461
On 4 March, King Henry VI is deposed, and formally transfers the right of succession to Richard, Duke of York and his heirs.
1461
On 28 March, Yorkists and Lancastrians fight at the Battle of Ferrybridge. The day before, Warwick loses many men repairing the bridge, ready for the reinforcements.
1461
On 29 March, the Lancastrians and Yorkists raise the largest armies ever seen in England, around 100,000 men. The two sides fight in the Battle of Towton, the bloodiest battle to have ever taken place. Lancastrian leaders are executed, and the Yorkists win a decisive victory. Queen Margaret is exiled to Scotland again.
1461
On 28 June Edward IV, is crowned king at Westminster Abbey.
1464
On 25 April, Lancastrian forces led by the Duke of Somerset, are defeated by Yorkists, led by Lord Montague, at the Battle of Hedgeley Moor.
1464
On 15 May, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, the kingmaker, defeats Lancastrians at the Battle of Hexham, reducing the Yorkist resistance in the north.
1469
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick’s position in court weakens, falling out of favour with Edward IV. So he switches allegiance to the Lancastrian cause.
1469
On 24 July, Warwick’s army engages Edward IV’s army at the Battle of Edgcote Moor, defeating the Yorkists.
1470
On 12 March, the Earl of Warwick and Duke of Clarence rebel against Edward IV, to try and replace him with Clarence. Warwick and Clarence are defeated at the Battle of Losecote Field, and flee to France.
1470
In October, Warwick returns and invades England, forcing Edward IV to flee to Burgundy. King Henry VI is restored to the throne.
1471
On 14 March, Edward IV returns to England after gathering support from Charles the Bold of France.
1471
On 14 April, Edward IV attacks a Lancastrian force, led by Warwick, at the Battle of Barnet. In misty, foggy conditions the Lancastrian army fall into disarray, and the Yorkists strike hard. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick is found after the battle and killed.
1471
On 4 May, Margaret of Anjou’s army are decisively defeated by Edward IV and his Yorkist forces at the Battle of Tewkesbury. The Prince of Wales, Edward, dies during the battle, and the Duke of Somerset is executed afterwards. Margaret submits to Edward IV, shortly after the battle, and is imprisoned.
1471
On 21 May, Henry VI is murdered in the Tower of London.
Interesting Facts About King Henry VI
Early Ascension
Henry VI became king of England at a very young age. He was crowned king at the tender age of nine months old in 1422, following the death of his father, Henry V.Dual Monarchies
Henry VI was not only the king of England but also the king of France (disputed). He inherited the French throne through his maternal grandfather, King Charles VI of France. However, his control over France was largely nominal, and he faced significant opposition from the French nobility.The Wars of the Roses
Henry VI's reign was marred by the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought between the rival factions of the House of Lancaster (associated with Henry) and the House of York. The wars resulted from ongoing power struggles and ultimately led to the downfall of the Lancastrian dynasty.Challenged Rule
Henry VI faced numerous challenges to his rule, primarily due to his perceived weak leadership and mental instability. His inability to maintain control over his kingdom and resolve political conflicts contributed to the tensions that led to the Wars of the Roses.Mental Health Issues
Henry VI is believed to have experienced mental health problems, including periods of insanity. His mental instability further undermined his ability to govern effectively and contributed to the power struggles and instability during his reign.Foundation of Eton College and King's College
Henry VI is renowned for his patronage of education. He founded Eton College in 1440 and King's College, Cambridge, in 1441. These institutions continue to thrive today and are among the most prestigious educational institutions in England.Deposition and Imprisonment
Following his defeat in the Wars of the Roses, Henry VI was deposed twice. He was first deposed by Edward IV in 1461 and then restored to the throne briefly in 1470 before being deposed and imprisoned by Edward IV again in 1471.Mysterious Death
Henry VI's death remains the subject of speculation and debate. He died in the Tower of London on May 21, 1471, shortly after being deposed for the final time. The official cause of death was recorded as ‘melancholy’, but rumours persist of his murder.
Battles Fought by King Henry VI and his Lancastrians
First Battle of St Albans
On 22 May 1455, the Yorkist army defeat the Lancastrians and capture King Henry VI. This was the first battle of the Wars of the Roses. Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford were killed.Battle of Blore Heath
On 23 September 1459, the Yorkist forces, led by the Earl of Salisbury, defeat the Lancastrians, who attempted to intercept the smaller Yorkist army.Battle of Ludford Bridge
On 12 October 1459, the Lancastrians, led by King Henry VI, defeat the combined Yorkist forces of Richard, Duke of York, Richard, Earl of Salisbury and Richard, Earl of Warwick. The three Yorkist leaders flee into exile.Battle of Northampton
On 10 July 1460, the Yorkists attack and defeat King Henry VI’s Lancastrian forces, helped by Lord Grey switching sides, and allowing the Yorkists through. King Henry VI is captured. The battle lasted less than an hour.Battle of Wakefield
On 30 December 1460, the Lancastrians defeat the Yorkists outside Sandal Castle. Richard, Duke of York is killed, and Earls of Salisbury and Rutland are captured and then executed.Battle of Mortimer’s Cross
On 2 February 1461, Edward, Earl of March leads a Yorkist army to victory against the Lancastrians, led by Jasper Tudor. This was the first time the future king, Edward IV, had commanded an army.Second Battle of St Albans
On 17 February 1461, Richard, Earl of Warwick leads the defence of St Albans against Queen Margaret’s Lancastrians forces. After terrible fighting in the streets, the Earl of Warwick retreats to London, leaving victory to the Lancastrians.Battle of Ferrybridge
On 28 March 1461, Yorkists and Lancastrians battle over the River Aire at Ferrybridge. 3000 soldiers died, and eventually the Yorkists were able to cross the river the next day.Battle of Towton
On 29 March 1461, the battle consisted of the two largest forces ever gathered in England. It was also the most bloodiest, where it is said the river ran red with blood. The Yorkists won a decisive victory over the Lancastrians, forcing Queen Margaret into exile in Scotland.Battle of Hedgeley Moor
On 25 April 1464, Lord Montague leads a Yorkist army against the Duke of Somerset and his Lancastrian forces. The Yorkists were victorious, enabling them to open negotiations of peace with Scotland.Battle of Hexham
On 15 May 1464, Richard, Earl of Warwick and the Yorkists defeat the Lancastrians, led by Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. The Duke of Somerset is captured and executed.Battle of Edgecote Moor
On 24 July 1469, the Earl of Warwick switches sides, and defeats the Yorkists; forcing Edward IV to flee to Flanders.Battle of Losecote Field
On 12 March 1470, the Earl of Warwick and Duke of Clarence rebel against Edward IV. The Yorkists are victorious, defeating Warwick and Clarence.Battle of Barnet
On 14 April 1471, Edward IV leads his Yorkist forces against Richard, Earl of Warwick and the Lancastrians. The Yorkists seized an advantage, while the Lancastrians were in disarray, and defeated them. Warwick is executed after the battle.Battle of Tewkesbury
On 4 May 1471, the Yorkists, led by Edward IV, win a decisive victory against the Lancastrians. Edward, Prince of Wales is killed in battle and Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset is executed afterwards.
FAQs About the King
How did Henry VI become king?
Henry VI became king as an infant following the death of his father, King Henry V, in 1422. He was crowned at the age of nine months old.What were Henry VI's major accomplishments as king?
Henry VI's reign was marked by political instability and the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses. His major accomplishments include his patronage of education, founding Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, as well as promoting the arts and literature.What were the Wars of the Roses?
The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars fought between the rival factions of the House of Lancaster (associated with Henry VI) and the House of York. These conflicts were primarily about rival claims to the English throne and lasted from 1455 to 1487.How did Henry VI's mental health impact his reign?
Henry VI is believed to have suffered from mental health issues, including bouts of insanity. His mental instability contributed to the power struggles and instability during his reign, making him vulnerable to manipulation by his nobles.Was Henry VI a weak king?
Henry VI is often perceived as a weak king due to his inability to assert strong leadership and control over his kingdom. His ineffective governance contributed to the power struggles and conflicts that plagued his reign.Was Henry VI deposed from the throne?
Yes, Henry VI was deposed twice during his reign. He was first deposed by Edward IV in 1461 and then briefly restored to the throne in 1470 before being deposed and imprisoned by Edward IV again in 1471.
The Earl of Warwick kneels before Queen Margaret
Queen Margaret Of Anjou
