Overview
- The 15th century saw major political instability in both England and France
- Weak monarchies faced challenges from ambitious nobles.
- In England, the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487) were a series of civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for control of the throne.
- In France, the War of the Public Weal (1465) was a revolt by powerful nobles against King Louis XI’s attempts to centralize royal authority.
- Both conflicts reveal the fragile balance between monarchy and nobility in late medieval Europe.
The Wars of the Roses
Causes
- Dynastic rivalry between House of Lancaster and House of York.
- Economic problems and discontent.
- Weak rule of Henry VI and factional disputes at court.
Course of the War
- Began in 1455 with the First Battle of St Albans.
- Shifts in power between Yorkists and Lancastrians, with notable figures like Edward IV, Margaret of Anjou, and Richard III.
- Ended in 1487 with the Battle of Stoke Field.
Impact & Significance
- Weakened the power of the nobility through loss of life and property.
- Strengthened the Tudor monarchy by reducing factionalism.
- England experienced relative stability under the Tudors afterward.
Case study
The Battle of Towton (1461)
- Fought on 29 March 1461 during the Wars of the Roses between the Yorkists (Edward, Duke of York) and the Lancastrians (Henry VI’s supporters).
- The largest and bloodiest battle of the conflict.
- Power struggle for the crown between Edward of York and Henry VI.
Outcome
- Decisive Yorkist victory.
- Edward IV secured the English throne.
- Lancastrian forces were significantly weakened.
The War of the Public Weal (France, 1465)
Causes
- King Louis XI sought to reduce noble privileges and strengthen royal control.
- Powerful nobles, led by Charles the Bold (Duke of Burgundy), feared loss of influence.
The Conflict
- A coalition of nobles rebelled against Louis XI.
- The rebellion ended in a negotiated peace, with some concessions granted but royal authority largely preserved.
Impact
- Louis XI learned to outmaneuver nobles through diplomacy rather than direct confrontation.
- Demonstrated the resistance of feudal nobility to centralization.
- Burgundy remained a major rival to the French crown until Charles the Bold’s death.
Exam technique
- Use these conflicts to compare noble vs. royal power in England and France.
- Show how monarchical weakness (Henry VI) contrasts with monarchical resilience (Louis XI).
- For thematic essays, link both conflicts to the trend toward centralization in late medieval Europe.
- Always name key individuals and battles to score higher in knowledge-based markbands.
Common Mistake
- Confusing the causes of the Wars of the Roses with events from the Hundred Years’ War.
- Overgeneralizing the War of the Public Weal as a simple “failure” without noting Louis XI’s long-term victory in centralizing authority.
- Ignoring the role of personality i.e. Henry VI’s weakness vs. Louis XI’s political cunning.
Historiography
- K.B. McFarlane: The Wars of the Roses were as much about personal feuds and factionalism as they were about dynastic legitimacy.
- Paul Murray Kendall: Louis XI’s handling of the War of the Public Weal shows the transition from medieval feudalism to early modern monarchy.
Self review
- Compare and contrast the causes of political instability in England and France during the 15th century.
- Assess the impact of the Wars of the Roses and the War of the Public Weal on the power of the monarchy and nobility.
- To what extent did weak monarchs, rather than noble ambition, cause political instability in 15th-century England and France?
