Richard Plantagenet (September 1411 – December 1460) was the 3rd Duke of York, 4th Earl of Cambridge, 6th Earl of March and 7th Earl of Ulster. He was known as Richard of York, a leading English Magnate. Richard was also one of the contentious figures that had an important role in the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses.
Childhood and Throne Succession of Richard Plantagenet
Richard, Duke of York was the son of Richard, Fourth Earl of Cambridge who was the son of Edmund of Langley, first Duke of York and the fourth son of Edward III. Hence he was the great-grandson of King Edward III. While his mother was Anne Mortimer, the great-granddaughter of Lionel, Duke of Clarence and Edward’s second son.
So from both his parents, Richard was descending the claim to the throne of King Edward III. However, from his father’s side, his claim to the throne was very weak as it has other strong descendants who were the Lancastrian kings, the third son of John of Gaunt.
But from his mother’s side, his claim to the throne was much better than that of Lancastrian as Mortimer family were the descendants of the throne from Clarence.
Richard’s mother died a year after giving birth to him. His father was executed to make a plot against King Henry V in 1415. Richard was not punished in any manner for his father’s crime but was also not allowed to inherit his father’s estate. Richard was made a Royal Ward and afterward, he was declared as an heir to his uncle Edward, Duke of York.
In the year 1425 when the last Mortimer member died, Richard of York inherited his claim and the huge estate of Earl of March. After combining both this family estate, he became one of the wealthiest aristocrats of the Welsh border.
Career of Richard Plantagenet
Before his career began, Young Richard was married to Cecily Neville, daughter of Westmorland. Her family was one of the powerful and this alliance offered the best allies to the Yorkist.
-In 1426 York was appointed as a knight to King Henry VI and also joined him in his coronation ceremony in France
-In 1430 Richard was appointed as the Constable of England.
-In 1432 York was made the Guardian of the Coast of Normandy
-In 1432 he was declared as regent of France and under his guidance, they marched the army almost to Paris gates.
-A year later he was called off from his position but in 1440 he was reappointed as the regent and this position he held till 1445.
-In 1449, Richard was delegated as Lieutenant of Ireland and he successfully governed his country with wisdom and moderation.
-In 1450 York returned back to England and soon he became the powerful opponent of the Duke of Somerset. However, Somerset also had many powerful allies with the Nevilles with whom York was connected by marriage alliance.
-In 1451, a proposal was stated in parliament to make York as the rightful heir to the crown. This was not at all seriously entertained by anyone and in fact, the proposal maker was imprisoned.
-In 1452, York declared that his prime objective was not to claim for the throne but to remove the evil counselors surrounded by King Henry especially Somerset. However, in the course of five years, his luck rose and fell down many times.
-In 1453 York’s luck favored him when the last few French territories were lost and that caused a mental breakdown in King Henry. Hence York was appointed as the head of the Royal Council and Protector of Realm. Queen Margaret gave birth to Prince Edward the same year and totally opposed the decision to make York as Protector.
-During his year as a protector, he proved himself to be a competent leader and also tackled the difficult situation in England leading Northern families of the Percies and the Nevilles. He also imprisoned Somerset being the protectorate.
-In the year 1455 King’s mental health was restored back and he dismissed York from his position and reinstated Somerset.
-In the year 1456 the first battle of St.Albans begun in which Somerset was Slained which caused the king to be imbecile again. However, York was able to achieve a victory over the Lancastrians in this battle. This brought opportunity to York as he was reappointed as protector once again. This battle is also known to be the first battle in the War of Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York.
-In the year 1459, the York’s and Lancaster’s were at war again as York even after winning over them faced many difficulties from Queen Margaret. As a result, the York people lose the war at Ludlow and were forced to move to Ireland.
-In Ireland, York prepared his army. Then under the guidance of his eldest son and alliance with Nevilles, they marched their army to England and won the battle against the royal army at Northampton.
-In June 1460 York returned to England and captivated King Henry. King was then forced to declare York as his heir while disinheriting his own son. Queen Margaret was very upset with this and she declared a battle against York with the help of Lancastrians at Wakefield in October 1460.
-In December 1460 York along with his second son Edmund were killed in this battle. His head was then displayed on a pike who wore a paper crown.
Conclusion
York although impressive, yet difficult to judge. He had many political and diplomatic abilities which made him successful in France and very popular in Ireland. York had a poor reputation as due to his personal affairs he triggered the War of Roses. Then also he survived to become an alternative king along with being the dynasty founder rather than considering him as an unsuccessful peace distributor.
