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Henry VI … the first and only time an English monarch would hold both crowns. Dr Janina Ramirez, Chivalry and Betrayal: The Hundred Years War III: Agents of God 1415-1453, BBC 2013
Margaret, daughter of the Duke of Anjou. She would marry the English King, Henry VI. Dr Helen Castor, She Wolves: England’s Early Queens Isabella and Margaret, BBC 2012
King’s Chapel was built so that priests could pray for the soul of one man – King Henry VI – to secure his place in heaven. Dr Michael Scott, Guilty Pleasures: Luxury in the Middle Ages II, BBC 2013
July 6th 1483 and Westminster Abbey was packed tight for the coronation of one of England’s most controversial Kings – Richard III … The Wars of the Roses when the rivalry between two great dynasties tore the nobility apart. Philippa Gregory, The Real White Queen and Her Rivals I, BBC 2016
As the daughter of the most powerful noble in the realm, Anne was destined for greatness from birth … Margaret Beaufort – the second most important woman in the country … Elizabeth was the commoner Queen – an English beauty who had enchanted a King. This is my chronicle of these three women. ibid.
Margaret Beaufort was an heiress to valuable lands … Margaret and all her possessions were transferred to Henry Tudor … ibid.
But the enchanted Edward was sure of his choice, and Elizabeth’s transformation was complete. ibid.
Edward IV was forced to abandon his throne and the Yorkist cause and flee England. The Lancastrian King Henry VI was restored in his place. With her husband on the run, Elizabeth Woodville, the former Queen of England, was now in grave danger. ibid.
Everything would depend on Henry’s son – the nine month old … Henry [VI] was also named King of France … The government of England and France was divided between the King’s two uncles … French resistance couldn’t be suppressed. Monarchy by David Starkey s1e6: Death of a Dynasty, Channel 4 2004
By the time Henry was 30 he’d lost everything his father had won. Only Calais remained in English hands. ibid.
Now York turned the tables on the house of Lancaster … Henry would remain King whilst he lived and York would succeed only after his death, but everybody reckoned without Queen Margaret’s ferocious mother-love … She led her forces against York; Margaret was victorious. ibid.
He seized the throne and ruled as King Edward IV; Henry was captured … But then his own followers started to quarrel … A total and final defeat for the house of Lancaster … Henry VI was dispatched with a blow of the head. ibid.
Nearly six hundred years ago England was torn apart by a series of bloody battles for the throne. In just thirty years the Crown changed hands seven times. Tens of thousands were slaughtered. It was one of the most turbulent and violent periods in British history: it’s known as the Wars of the Roses. Dan Jones, Britain’s Bloody Crown I, Channel 5 2016
… Henry [VI] gave another of his cousins the job of managing England for him – Lord Somerset. ibid.
York’s absolutely certain that he should be in charge; Margaret’s absolutely certain she should be in charge … York storms out of London and begins to gather troops. ibid.
Richard Duke of York has come to London expecting to be made Lord Protector of England. He has accused the Queen’s man Somerset of treason and demanded to take his place in charge of England. ibid.
Henry VI has woken after a year in a catatonic stupor. Queen Margaret’s ally Somerset is immediately released from the Tower. It’s a disaster for the Duke of York. ibid.
Margaret’s troops march north … Margaret outnumbers York two to one … She brings the King along for legitimacy. ibid.
Less than a year later, his great ally Warwick attacks the royal army at Northampton. Queen Margaret escapes … York has made his decision – he’s going to take the Crown … They take the Queen’s revenge. ibid.
1461: Britain’s weakest King, Henry VI, is barely clinging to power. Richard Duke of York has been killed trying to snatch the throne from him. Three months later, York’s son Edward takes his revenge on the King. Dan Jones, Britain’s Bloody Crown II
In May 1465 Elizabeth Woodville is crowned Queen of England. All the great nobles attend except one: the Earl of Warwick. The Kingmaker. It’s a direct snub to the King and his new Queen. ibid.
Redesdale demands the Queen’s family, the Woodvilles, are removed from power. King Edward heads north to crush him. ibid.
After ten years in captivity, Edward releases Henry VI from the Tower. ibid.
Henry VI is back on the throne of England. It’s not going well. In March 1471 Edward IV lands in Yorkshire claiming that he only wants his Dukedom returned. Dan Jones, Britain’s Bloody Crown III: The Princes Must Die
Henry died … Edward has had him killed. ibid.
Warwick goes from being a Yorkist to being a Lancastrian … Edward is taken by surprise at the speed of Warwick’s approach. Royal Bastards: Rise of the Tudors II, Sky Showcase 2021
Even though it’s Henry VI on the throne, Warwick brokers the real power. His betrayal of Edward and the House of York is complete. ibid.
Margaret takes the ultimate political high-risk political gamble. She’s going to support Edward. ibid.
Edward has won back his crown … and the only way to end this is to get rid of the Lancastrians once and for all. ibid.