Political Struggle of the Duke of York

Name: Political Struggle of the Duke of York
Start: 1450
End: 1456

Type Event Region Western Europe Time 1450–1456

In the 1450s, Richard, Duke of York, exploited the Lancastrian government's decline and Henry VI's mental crisis to challenge powerful ministers like…

Timeline

1450–1453London · LondonThe Duke of York attacked Somerset's usurpation of power, defeats in France, and improper taxation in Parliament and the Privy Council, demanding government reform and claiming guardianship of royal authority based on his bloodline.
1454–1455Westminster · LondonDuring Henry VI's mental illness, Parliament appointed the Duke of York Protector and chief minister of the realm; he imprisoned Somerset and implemented austerity policies; when the king recovered, York was forced to step down.
1455St Albans · HertfordshireThe first battle of the Wars of the Roses broke out when Yorkist and Lancastrian forces clashed; the Yorkists won, the Duke of Somerset was killed, and York again served as protector until 1456.

Sources

The Wars of the Roses — John Gillingham (1981)
Encyclopædia Britannica: Wars of the Roses https://www.britannica.com/event/Wars-of-the-Roses