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Henry VI (Lancaster)

Type Figure Region England Time 1421–1471 Also known as Henry Lancaster、Henry VI of the Lancastrian dynasty

King of England from the Lancastrian dynasty (reigned 1422–1461 and 1470–1471), he inherited the throne as a child, was noted for his benevolence but…

Timeline

  1. 1421–1450Windsor Castle · BerkshireHenry VI was born at Windsor Castle in 1421; after his father Henry V died in 1422, he succeeded to the throne at only nine months old. A regency council governed on his behalf, and during the Hundred Years' War England gradually lost its French possessions. Henry was gentle and devout, founding Eton College and King's College, but lacked the political resolve to manage the nobility, sowing the seeds of future political crisis.
  2. 1451–1455Westminster · LondonIn the summer of 1453 Henry VI suffered a severe mental illness, losing all capacity to govern, and was not even aware of the birth of Prince Edward. In March 1454 Parliament appointed Richard, Duke of York, as Lord Protector. Henry recovered his senses in early 1455, resumed personal rule, immediately dismissed Richard, and instead favored Lancastrian ministers. Unwilling to lose power, Richard clashed with him, and tensions escalated sharply.
  3. 1455–1460St Albans · HertfordshireOn 22 May 1455 the First Battle of St Albans erupted; the Yorkists defeated the Lancastrian army, and Henry VI was lightly wounded and captured in the fighting. Richard, Duke of York, again became Lord Protector (until 1456). Queen Margaret of Anjou then actively consolidated Lancastrian forces and gradually took control of the government. After the Battle of Blore Heath in 1459 and the rout at Ludford Bridge, the Yorkists went into exile for a time and Henry's regime seemed secure, but at the Battle of Northampton in 1460 he again suffered a crushing defeat and was personally captured alive by the Yorkists.
  4. 1460–1471Tower of London · LondonAfter the Battle of Northampton in July 1460, Henry was held by the Yorkists. That October Parliament passed the Act of Agreement, recognizing the Duke of York as heir; Henry retained the nominal crown but the succession would not pass to his children. After the Duke of York was killed at the Battle of Wakefield that December, his son Edward declared himself Edward IV in March 1461, and Henry was deposed. In 1470 the Earl of Warwick switched sides and Henry was briefly restored; the following year Edward IV returned to power, and Henry was killed in the Tower of London on 21 May 1471.

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