Triumph of the Red Rose: A Wars of the Roses Timeline
- Thread starter RedKing
- Start date
Chapter 5 - To rule and not be ruled
Chapter 5 – To rule and not be ruled.
Immediately upon securing London, Queen Margaret and her family made residence at Westminster Palace, where they had primarily resided when they lived in London prior to the war. A new Lancastrian regime soon formed, with Margaret and Somerset being at its centre, while Henry VI was a mere figure head [1]. On March 21st, Parliament was summoned to London, or rather, the members of Parliament who were willing to come to London were summoned. There the Act of Accords was repealed, attainders against Margaret’s supporters revoked, and attainders that had been placed on Richard, Duke of York and his supporters were reaffirmed, with the notable exception of the late Earl of Warwick [2]. Margaret would hesitate on confiscating York’s lands; however, his sons were still popular there and she did not want to risk upsetting her subjects so early on into her regime. Warwick’s daughters would receive the bulk of their inheritance. Pardons were granted to “All those fair and pleasant citizens of London, and England who hath been misled by the King’s malicious enemies, who sought to take the reins of Government for themselves”.
Following the Battle of Radlett, Margaret of Anjou (left) and Henry Beaufort (right), found themselves the de-facto co-rulers of England
Queen Margaret also began dallying on a deal she had made with the Scots during her exile. Said deal saw the town of Berwick handed over to Scotland and that Edward would marry a Scottish Princess. Almost immediately Margaret went about breaking the agreement by not mentioning any such marriage [3]. Margaret would also appoint the Earl of Westmorland, the Warden of the Western March, and the Earl of Northumberland Warden of the Eastern March [4]. Margaret would also grant them some of the late Earl of Warwick’s lands and castles, which they had claimed as their own.
Speaking of which, Warwick’s heirs, Anne and Isabel were taken into the Royal Household, and it was planned that they would marry the children of loyal supporters of Margaret and Henry VI. To the Dowager Duchess of Buckingham, Anne it seemed as though her Grandson Henry met all these requirements, something that she was quite eager to see, as it would bolster the influence of the House of Stafford in England. Though she would have to wait some time to learn what would become of the two heiresses [5].
Margaret also turned her eyes towards the Dowager Duchess of York, Cecily, and her daughters. Cecily was granted a yearly annuity of 100 pounds and was granted a pardon alongside her daughters, though the pardons were conditional. Both Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Suffolk, and Margaret of York, were forced to take the vows, in return for their pardons. Anne of York meanwhile, was spied upon heavily and treated with much suspicion. Cecily’s grandson and Elizabeth’s son, John, now the Earl of Suffolk was allowed some of his lands, though a heavy fine was placed upon him. He was also moved into Prince Edward’s household, alongside the Earl of Richmond, Duke of Buckingham, and other young nobles, so that he may grow up being loyal to the Lancastrian regime [6].
A sketch of Margaret of York as a Nun, circa 1469
A portrait of Elizabeth of York as the Countess of Suffolk
To further secure England Margaret appointed several nobles to serve in multiple regions. Northumberland, Percy, Moleyns, and Clifford were appointed to serve in the North. Somerset and his brother, Devon, and Lord Rivers were appointed to serve in the South. Jasper and Owen Tudor were appointed to serve in Wales. The Crown and other nobles would also look after the midlands. Andrew Trollope and Lionel Welles were also dispatched to secure Calais, with a force of 1,500 men accompanying them.
Margaret also made sure to reward her followers. Sir Andrew Trollope was created Earl of Kent in reward for his services and appointed Captain of Calais. Jasper Tudor was granted some of the lands that had been held by William Herbert, and custody of his kids. Owen Tudor was created the Lord of Anglesey, Gwynedd, and Snowdon. Somerset was granted custody of Cecily Bonville, heiress to the Bonville lands. The Duke of Exeter was granted the lands of Baron Grey de Ruthyn [7]. Several other nobles were rewarded for their services as well, though Margaret soon turned her head towards the biggest problem to her regime, resistance.
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[1] I mean, what else would this regime look like?
[2] Richard, Duke of York and his supporters were attainted at the Parliament of Devils in 1459, here they are reaffirmed.
[3] AIUI the deal specified it was Princess Margaret of Scotland, of course Margaret now thinks her son can do better.
[4] I feel like these two are going to be the dominant Northern nobles.
[5] Guess who I plan on marrying Isabela and Anne to.
[6] I feel like several young nobles who's fathers fought for the Yorkists are going to be raised as loyal members of the Lancastrian regime.
[7] There was a dispute between the two of them in OTL, which is why Grey betrayed the Lancastrians at Northampton.
Thank you! She probably should, but she is leaning towards a French bride for Edward, since she wants to boost Anglo-French relations.