a, Warwick's position. (Green 286-7.) b, His character. (Stubbs iii. 218.) c, Causes of alienation. (Oman's Warwick. ch. xiii.) 1. King's marriage 1464. (Stubbs iii. 207.) 2. Advancement of the Wydvilles and Division between Edward and Warwick was bound to occur. Both were strong-willed men, and the former, though he owed much to the latter, who was by far the most powerful man in England, was too high-spirited to take second place. Warwick was a great noble, but his character made him also a great leader. By a series of fortunate marriages the Nevilles owned vast possessions. Warwick himself had lands and manors in most parts of England. South Wales, Herefordshire, Buckinghamshire, counties in the south and east, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire, besides Yorkshire where was his great estate at Middleham, all had possessions of the great Earl. The "bear and ragged staff" was to be seen all over England. His tactics and strategy in nearly every battle had proved him to be a great soldier, whilst his naval warfare and defence of Calais shewed that he was an equally good sailor. As a statesman he seems to have been politic and far-sighted, and his foreign policy was wise and able. Personally he was ambitious and jealous, but loyal to the Yorkist cause. He, more than anyone, had given Edward his crown, and he only left the man he had trained as a soldier and crowned as a king when he realised that his own ruin was determined. As was but natural Warwick expected to hold and did hold the chief power at Court. He was confirmed in all his honours, and others were heaped on him. One of his brothers, Montagu, became Earl of Northumberland; another, George, the Archbishop of York, was made Chancellor. But the year 1461, which saw the overthrow of the Lancastrian cause, saw the seeds sown of the later quarrel between Edward and Warwick. The latter proposed to ruin Margaret's cause by bringing about an alliance with France. Nothing would cement this more strongly than the marriage of Edward to Bona of Savoy, Louis XI.'s sister. When this was urged, Edward confessed that he had already married, secretly during the last northern campaign, Elizabeth Wydville. The lady was a widow of a Lancastrian knight, Sir John Grey, who had fallen in the second battle of S. Alban's. The King was younger than his wife, but seems to have been captivated by her beauty. Such a marriage was bound to be distasteful to his supporters, for it was carried through without their advice, and not only did this lady belong to a family which had taken the opposite side, but it hurt their pride that a family of humbler rank should be advanced over their heads. Warwick especially was hardly hit by this love-match, for it effectually cut the ground from his well-known policy in regard to France. Edward, by advancing the Wydvilles and their friends, New Nobility., began to surround himself with a new nobility who owed nothing to ancient descent and family history but were merely dependent on the King. Such a policy was natural, for a king GENEALOGY OF WYDVILLES. John D. of Bedford=Jacquetta of Luxemburg-Rich. Wydville = (E. Rivers Exd. after Edgcote) Anthony Ld. Rivers John Sir J. Grey Elizabeth Edward IV. Edw. Wydville Rich. Wydville could not wish to be fettered for ever by his friends; but it 3. Foreign policy. was very dangerous. Offices of State were showered on the (Stubbs iii. 208. new men." Rivers, the queen's father, became Treasurer and Constable of England. His sons and daughters, friends and relatives, by fortunate marriages arranged by the King, soon began to assume an influential and important position in England. Such rapid advancement caused much heartburning amongst Warwick's friends. Though disappointed in his original plan, Warwick did not abate his efforts to bring about a political union with France. Although a marriage alliance between Margaret of York and Charles the heir of Burgundy was proposed, Warwick was allowed to go to France to confirm a lasting peace. He was received with almost royal honours, and brought back to French commissioners to complete the treaty. On his return, he found Burgundian nobles being fêted and honoured. His French companions were slighted and neglected, and after six weeks, having done nothing, they returned home. Charles had meanwhile succeeded his father, the Duke of Burgundy, and the marriage was now seriously pressed forward. The new alliance was popular amongst the traders and merchants, and perhaps more politic than an Anglo-French treaty. But the way it was arranged was as discreditable to Edward as it was dishonouring to Warwick, who from this time saw how doubtful was his position, and how necessary it was that he should take measures to secure it. The struggle which now began may be compared to that of d, Events. Beaufort and Gloucester in the last reign. The King had no male heir, so Warwick tried to oppose the growth of Wydville influence by a marriage between his eldest daughter Isabel and the Duke of Clarence, the King's brother. The King had already forbidden the match but without his knowledge or consent the two were married at Calais. Clarence was entirely under the influence of his father-in-law, and seems to have hoped with his aid to gain the crown on Edward's death, if not before. 1. Marriage of Clarence and Isabella, 1469. p. 83.) There were signs that the struggle was to recommence, and that the throne was again to be fought for. The Lancastrians were encouraged by widespread discontent in the country. (1) An expedition to France had proved a failure; (2) the rise of the Wydvilles offended the old nobility, and (3) general disorder in the country was proving that the new dynasty was no more capable than the old had been. A serious rising took place in the north which was undoubtedly prompted by War2. Robin of Redes- wick. Under Robin of Redesdale 60,000 men rose in Yorkdale's rising, shire and at the same time there were insurrections in other 1469. (Oman's Warwick, Counties. The rebels published a manifesto very similar to that of the Commons of Kent in Cade's rebellion. They complained of the disorders in the country, heavy taxation, and extravagant expenditure, declaring that all was due to the baneful influence of the Wydvilles. The King was taken by surprise. A force of Welsh levies under Pembroke was a, B. of Edgecote. defeated at Edgecote, near Banbury, and the royalist leaders were beheaded. In other parts of the country the rebels were equally successful and Rivers and his son John were captured b, Warwick supports and put to death. The Nevilles returned to England at the summons of the King, but both they and Clarence supported the reforms demanded, and Edward was actually imprisoned. He was soon released, but the Nevilles returned to power and a general pardon was issued. rebels. 3. Welles's rebellion and flight of Warwick, 1470. (Oman's Warwick, 193.) Lose-coat Field. 4. Warwick and Lancastrians. a Alliance with Margaret. Soon afterwards there was another rising, headed by Sir Robert Welles, in Lincolnshire. Edward, alarmed for the safety of his throne, treacherously executed the leaders. He then marched against the rebels, who, hoping Warwick would help them, prepared to give battle at Stamford. No succour arrived and the battle soon became a rout, known by the name of "Lose-coat Field." The leader was captured and confessed that the intention was to make Clarence king. Whether Warwick had any hand in the ill-conceived plan, which was confessedly Lancastrian, may be doubted, yet appearances were against him. Orders were issued for the arrest of Clarence, Warwick, and the Nevilles, but they escaped to the Continent. The quarrel between Edward and Warwick was complete. The exiles were refused admission to Calais so they had to seek hospitality in France. Louis XI. welcomed them, as he saw an opportunity not only of warding off any English attack, but of revenging himself on Edward. With much trouble and care a reconciliation was arranged between Margaret and Warwick. It was a horrible alliance, since each had slain the (Oman's Warwick, other's kin, Margaret at Wakefield, Warwick at S. Alban's (1st), and only the needs of the moment brought it about. It was sealed by the betrothal of young Henry to Anne, Warwick's younger daughter, and Henry VI. was to be restored by the help of his loyal subject Warwick. 201.) Such an alliance disappointed Clarence, who saw little hope of his succession, although his name was to be inserted after that of the Prince of Wales. His fickle nature, the appeals of Edward, and his resentment at this new alliance, led him secretly to promise to desert to his brother. Edward, therefore, confidently awaited the issue of the invasion. England. Warwick, to clear the way for his landing, caused his re- b, His return to tainers in the north to rise, and Edward at once marched there to suppress them. Warwick and Clarence then landed at Dartmouth. His proclamation on behalf of Henry VI. drew to his standard the Lancastrians of the south whilst his retainers from all over England swelled his numbers. Edward seems to have been confident of victory. With his army under Montagu he lay near Nottingham. But he trusted foolishly to a commander whom he had slighted. After Hexham, Montagu had been given the lands of Northumberland and the title, and had loyally supported the king during the crisis of Warwick's alienation. To win back the loyalty of the Percies Edward had restored their lands, and Montagu had been made a Marquis to compensate for his loss. It was an advance in dignity but a decline in wealth; as he said, it was a pie's nest." On the first opportunity Montagu with his troops declared for Henry VI., and Edward, betrayed and deserted, fled to Lynn. From c, Edward's flight. there, penniless, harassed by storms and pirates, he reached Holland, and threw himself on the protection of his brother-inlaw of Burgundy. Warwick had conquered England in eleven days.. Henry VI. 1470. Parliament met and re-established Henry VI. The succes- d, Restoration of sion was settled on his son, and, failing him, on the Duke of Clarence. The Nevilles were restored to all their old offices. The Lancastrians were given back their possessions and titles. Measures were taken to win back the great lords on both sides. The foreign policy of Warwick, which included a firm alliance with Louis, progressed favourably, and France, on the verge of war with Burgundy, welcomed English aid. But there were dangerous elements of discord. The great Yorkist lords, though willing to see the Wydvilles disgraced, disliked the deposition of Edward and resented the supremacy of the Nevilles. Others who had allied with the Wydvilles now lost all influence. The merchants too had lost heavily by the departure of Edward who was deeply in their debt, and who always favoured their trading expeditions. Meanwhile Clarence was secretly corresponding with his brother. Edward IV. 1471. The Duke of Burgundy, unwilling to lose English trade, but 5. Return of well knowing Warwick's hostility to himself, was forced to support Edward. At last an expedition set out, and though a storm dispersed it, Edward, after many adventures, landed at Ravenspur. It was in Warwick's county, and he found a, Early successes. b, B. of Barnet, 1471. ch. xvii.) 12. ch. 4-7.) little or no support, so, like Henry Bolingbroke, he proclaimed that he had only returned to claim his lands. By negligence or treachery Percy did not check him. Montagu also failed to crush him. Gathering troops as he drew near London he soon had 18,000 supporters. The Yorkist lords joined him, and Clarence at the last minute brought 7,000 men to his standard. London welcomed him, and he was soon strong enough to march out to meet Warwick and Montagu. ; They met at Barnet. The two forces, each about 24,000 strong, lay opposite each other during Easter Eve. Warwick, (Oman's Warwick, opposed by Richard of Gloucester, commanded his left Somerset the centre facing Edward; Montagu and Oxford (Last of Barons, Bk. were opposite Hastings. As it happened, the lines of the opposing forces were not exactly opposite one another. Edward's right overlapped Warwick, whilst Montagu and Oxford could easily out-flank Hastings. The morning of the battle, Easter Day, 1471, was very foggy, and this had much to do with Warwick's defeat. After a preliminary bombardment of arrows and artillery, the long lines met in the shock of battle. At first Warwick's forces were successful and Hastings was driven off the field. Oxford, blindly following, ruined everything, for the King was pressing Somerset hardly, whilst Warwick had much to do to save his troops who were being out-flanked. Oxford, on returning, missed his way in the fog and found himself in rear of his own centre. He was mistaken for the foe, and met with a shower of arrows. Imagining that he was betrayed, he fled raising the cry of treachery. It spread along the line, which at once wavered and was soon pierced by Edward. Warwick saw the day was lost and turned to escape, but was forced to make a stand. He died fighting to the last. c, B. of Tewkesbury. (George 147.) The fall of the great Warwick was the knell of the Lancastrian cause. It made those who sympathised with him fear to rise, while it encouraged Edward to renewed activity. The day of Warwick's downfall saw the long-delayed arrival of Margaret at Weymouth. The news of defeat caused her to move towards Wales. But her army was ill-disciplined and without hope. People who would have joined it had Warwick won at Barnet feared now to do so. She was overtaken at Tewkesbury by Edward, who utterly routed her forces. Her son and many others, including Somerset, were killed. Margaret was made a prisoner. While Edward was in the west, Fauconbridge, on the side of Warwick, landed in Kent and all but captured London. Treachery again played its part, and the leader left his men to their fate. Edward returned and entered London in triumph, and the same day Henry VI. died in the tower. His death was too fortunate to allow the Yorkists to claim that it was due to natural causes. |