English History Timeline 1450-1459

Battle of Formigny
This was a major battle fought between the French and English and was a victory for the French.

William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, Henry’s chief minister, was accused and found guilty of treason. He was pardoned by the King and sent into exile but he was murdered on his way to his ship.
Suffolk’s death meant there were only two descendants of the Plantagenet line and both wanted positions in the country. The Duke of Somerset was, like the King, of Lancastrian descent. His rival and heir presumptive to the throne was Richard Duke of York.

Cade’s Rising
Disgruntled Kentishmen rallied behind Jack Cade and marched to London in protest against the government of the country.

Cade’s Rising
The rebels clashed with royal forces at Sevenoaks.

Cade’s Rising
Rebels murdered William Ayscough, Bishop of Salisbury, who had risen to be one of the most powerful men in the country.

Cade’s Rising
The Kentishmen led by Jack Cade reached London and presented a formal complaint.

Cade’s Rising
A battle broke out on London Bridge between Cade’s men and officials of London. The rebels sustained heavy casualties

Cade’s Rising
The King issued a pardon to all of Cade’s men that withdrew from the capital immediately. The pardon did not apply to Cade and he fled south.

Cade’s Rising
Jack Cade was captured near Lewes. However, he was badly wounded and died before he could be tried.

Cherbourg surrendered to the French, a move that gave the French control of all of Normandy.

Bordeaux surrendered to the French.

Bayonne surrendered to the French, a move that gave the French control of Gascony.

Richard Duke of York raised arms against the King but surrendered 2 days later. He was pardoned by the King.

John Stafford, Archbishop of Canterbury died.

John Kemp became Archbishop of Canterbury.

A son, Richard, was born to Richard of York and Cecily Neville at Fotheringay Castle. He would later become King Richard III.

John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury re-captured Bordeaux allowing England to regain control of Gascony.

Battle of Castillon
This battle was fought between the French and English and was a victory for the French. The English commander, Talbot, was killed. The battle marked the end of the Hundred Years’ War.

King Henry VI suffered a mental breakdown and was unfit to rule. Richard Duke of York as heir presumptive felt he should replace Henry on the throne.

A son, Edward, was born to Henry and Margaret of Anjou at the Palace of Westminster. He was created Duke of Cornwall.

The French recaptured Bordeaux. England was left with just Calais in France.

Henry’s son, Edward, was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester.

John Kemp, Archbishop of Canterbury, died.

Thomas Bourchier became Archbishop of Canterbury.

Henry VI regained his mental capacity.

Wars of the Roses began
First Battle of St Albans
The forces of Richard Duke of York, supported by Richard Neville, Duke of Salisbury and Warwick defeated and killed the Lancastrians led by the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland. King Henry VI was captured.

Richard Duke of York became regent of England.

Richard Duke of York was dismissed as regent.

Osmund of Salisbury, who died in 1099, was made a saint.

A son, Henry, was born to Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort. He would later become Henry VII.

French raiders lay waste to Sandwich, Kent.

Battle of Blore Heath
A Neville force supporting Richard Duke of York fought off a Lancastrian attack that was supported by the Percy family.

Rout of Ludlow
Threatened by Margaret of Anjou and her supporters, Richard of York, Warwick and the Nevilles mustered their supporters at Ludlow but when the main Lancastrian army appeared their men deserted. York fled to Ireland and Warwick fled to France.