---
title: Henry VI of England
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-04-09
---

# Henry VI of England

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

Henry VI of [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) ruled as king from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. Succeeding his father [Henry V of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_V_of_England/) (r. 1413-1422), Henry VI was crowned the king of France in 1431 but he could not prevent a French revival led by Charles VII of France (r. 1422-1461) and such figures as [Joan of Arc](https://www.worldhistory.org/Joan_of_Arc/) (c. 1412-1431). The [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/) (1337-1453) was ultimately lost and with it all England's territory in France except Calais.

Back in England, the king's weakness of character and mind, and the intense rivalry between his barons led to the conflict known as the [Wars of the Roses](https://www.worldhistory.org/Wars_of_the_Roses/) (1455-1487) between the rival houses of Lancaster and York. After an episode of insanity, Henry VI had, in effect, a regent, Richard, the Duke of York in 1454. Despite military victories by Henry's wife, Queen Margaret, the king was ultimately deposed by Richard's son Edward in 1461. Henry would make a brief return to the throne in 1470 before Edward, now [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/) (1461-1470 & 1471-1483), was once more victorious on the battlefield and able to declare himself king for a second time. Henry was then murdered in the [Tower of London](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tower_of_London/) in May 1471.

### Succession

Henry was born on 6 December 1421 in [Windsor Castle](https://www.worldhistory.org/Windsor_Castle/), the son of Henry V of England and Catherine of Valois (l. 1401 - c. 1437), the daughter of [Charles VI of France](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charles_VI_of_France/). The reign of Henry's father was short but brilliant. Pressing his claim to the French throne, which had started with [Edward III of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_III_of_England/) (r. 1327-1377), Henry V had won a famous victory against a French army at the [Battle of Agincourt](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Agincourt/) in October 1415 and then conquered Normandy between 1417 and 1419. This was to be the peak of English fortunes during the on-off conflict between the two countries known to history as the [Hundred Years](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Hundred_Years/)' [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/). The victories allowed Henry V to sign the 1420 treaty of Troyes with Charles VI of France (r. 1380-1422) which made Henry the French king's heir while the blood heir, the Dauphin Charles, was disinherited. All this happened while France was split between two rival factions: the Burgundians and the Armagnacs.

Henry V died, probably of dysentery on 31 August 1422 at Bois de Vincennes in France. The English king had missed the chance to become the king of France by less than two months as Charles VI died on 21 October 1422. Prince Henry, not even one year old, became the new king of England and the youngest to hold such a title before or since. He would not receive his coronation until 6 November 1429 in Westminster Abbey, officially becoming Henry VI of England. In the meantime, the infant had two regents, appointed by Henry V before his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/): Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (l. 1390-1447) for England and John, Duke of Bedford (l. 1389-1435) for the territories in France, where, at least according to the Treaty of Troyes, he was also now the king. Another important figure was the king's great-uncle, Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester. These three men and others would entangle themselves in a spiral of competition to see who could hold most power while Henry remained a minor.

[ ![Coronation of Henry VI of England in Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/11839.jpg?v=1599195602) Coronation of Henry VI of England in Paris Unknown Artist (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11839/coronation-of-henry-vi-of-england-in-paris/ "Coronation of Henry VI of England in Paris")### A French Revival

All the big battles of the Hundred Years' War had been won by the English but taking and then controlling French territory was another matter. To keep large armies in the field was hugely expensive and beyond the means of the English treasury to maintain. Neither was Charles, the Dauphin, prepared to sit idly and watch his inheritance be handed over to the English. Thirdly, the very character of England's king was, as he reached maturity, about to become a serious disadvantage. The young Henry was tall, well-educated, fluent in English and French, and he liked hunting, but there were serious flaws in his character. Here, the historian N. Saul summarises the common view of Henry VI by historians past and present:

> It would be difficult to imagine anyone less capable than Henry VI…\[he was\] simple in mind. He was peace-loving, compassionate, pious to the point of prudery, and generous to his friends; but he was also naive, injudicious, and at times irrationally suspicious of those who disagreed with him. (130)

Henry and his ruling council had continued to press his family's claim for the French throne but the French fightback began in 1429 when an army led by Joan of Arc in 1429 relieved the siege of Orleans. This permitted the Dauphin to be crowned Charles VII of France in Rheims on 17 July 1429 in direct contravention of the Treaty of Troyes. In response, Henry had himself crowned as Henry II of France in the cathedral of Notre-Dame de [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/) on 16 December 1431, although loyalists to Charles VII disputed his right to do so. Henry returned to England in February 1432, and he would never set foot in France again.

[ ![Joan of Arc Statue, Beaugency](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/10470.jpg?v=1742196305) Joan of Arc Statue, Beaugency Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10470/joan-of-arc-statue-beaugency/ "Joan of Arc Statue, Beaugency")The fortunes of the Hundred Years' War briefly swung back in favour of the English during the early 1430s. Sir John Talbot (1384-1453), the great [medieval knight](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medieval_Knight/) known as the 'English [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/)', won many victories thanks to his aggressive tactics and surprise attacks. In 1434-5 Talbot orchestrated the successful defence of English-held Paris against a French army. In January 1436, while defending Rouen, Talbot launched one of his famous surprise attacks and routed a much larger French army at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Ry. However, the year before, in 1435, the English had crucially lost the support of their allies the Burgundians who joined with Charles VII, by the Treaty of Arras, to end the French civil war.

In 1436 Henry made Sir John Talbot the Constable of France but it was also the year that Paris was lost. In February 1437 Talbot added to his now-legendary reputation by ordering his men to march across ice at dawn and take Pontoise while the garrison there were still feeling the aftereffects of their Shrove Tuesday celebrations the night before. Talbot won yet another victory against high odds in 1439, defeating a French army led by Constable Richemont. The [Fates](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fates/) caught up with the great knight eventually, and he was killed at the Battle of Castillon in July 1453.

### Consequences of Defeat

Meanwhile, the English Parliament and nobles were concerned at the huge cost of the war and the distinct lack of territorial gains. Henry VI was now ruling alone without his regents, but his aversion to [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) proved unpopular and his choice of associates even more so, especially William de la Pole, the Earl of Suffolk. The earl did, however, negotiate a five-year truce with France from 1444. The price to pay for peace was the loss of Maine and, on 22 April 1445, the marriage of Henry to Margaret of Anjou (d. 1482), niece of Charles VII. As both actions failed to end the war, Henry's popularity sank even lower as pro-war nobles resented his capitulation and anti-war nobles lamented the continuance of a seemingly never-ending and costly war. The obvious influence of the queen on her weak-willed husband was yet another bone of contention amongst the court officials.

There was even a rebellion by commoners and local dignitaries led by the former soldier Jack Cade in 1450 which called for the removal of certain corrupt and inept court officials, and a return to [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) and order in the southeast. The message was that Henry was neglecting the necessities of everyday government even if the rebellion fizzled out after causing much destruction in London. At least, in 1440-41, Henry had found time to create two famous institutions of education: Eton College, Berkshire, and King's College, Cambridge. The king funded impoverished scholars and poor commoners who could study first at Eton and then move on to King's College. In 1448 Margaret founded Queens' College in Cambridge.

[ ![King's College Chapel, Cambridge](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/11838.jpg?v=1751896706) King's College Chapel, Cambridge Dmitry Tonkonog (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11838/kings-college-chapel-cambridge/ "King's College Chapel, Cambridge")Things got even worse in France when the Earl of Suffolk invaded Brittany but only succeeded in losing control of Normandy in 1450. The Earl was executed for his failures, but his replacement, Edmund Beaufort, the Earl of Somerset could not turn things around and he lost Rouen. France was too rich in men and resources while England was bankrupt and led by a king with no appetite for conflict. In 1453 even Gascony, which the English Crown had held for three centuries, was lost and with it the Hundred Years' War. The only French territory still in Henry's hands was Calais and just as one war ended, another was about to begin.

### Wars of the Roses

In 1453, on top of the defeats in France, or perhaps because of them, Henry suffered his first bout of insanity. The episode lasted 17 months during which the king understood nothing of what was said to him or even recognised anybody. The condition may have been inherited from his maternal grandfather Charles VI of France. As a result of the king's incapacity, his poor record in the war with France, and the corruption in the royal court, Richard, the Duke of York (1411-1460) was made the Protector of the Realm in March 1454. The Duke and the Earl of Somerset were soon at odds as each tried to get themselves nominated as Henry's heir, and this was the start of what became known as the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487). The Duke of York was the great-grandson of Edward III and the nephew of the Earl of March who himself had claimed he was the legitimate heir to [Richard II of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_II_of_England/) (r. 1377-1399). The Earl of Somerset was also a descendant of Edward III but through that king's son John of Gaunt, father of [Henry IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_IV_of_England/) (r. 1399-1413), first ruler of the House of Lancaster.

The name the 'Wars of the Roses' was applied to this rivalry by the novelist Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) after the later badges of the two families (neither of which were actually the favoured liveries in the mid-15th century): a white rose for York and a red rose for Lancaster (who supported Henry VI). The division was a little more complex than merely these two families as each one garnered allies amongst England's other noble families, loyalties often being decided because Henry VI had unwisely personally involved himself with disputes between them. Consequently, the war raged between two wide groups known as the 'Yorkists' and the 'Lancastrians'. However, the wars really only involved the nobility and their retainers and not the wider populace with many of the battles being better described as skirmishes.

### [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/)

In 1455 the Duke of York imprisoned the Earl of Somerset in the Tower of London but he was later released by a somewhat-recovered king Henry. Somerset was then killed at the Battle of St. Albans on 22 May 1455 by an army led by an outraged Duke Richard. Even the king was struck by an arrow in the neck during the battle and only just fled the scene. It was a mere skirmish but it was the first battle of the Wars of the Roses.

Richard, realising the king could easily be manipulated, then swore loyalty to Henry who managed, on 25 March 1458 ('Loveday') to reconcile the Yorkists and Lancastrians and even oblige them to walk hand-in-hand in a procession in London. However, the peace did not last long and Richard still faced a formidable obstacle to his ambitions in the form of the queen. Queen Margaret hated Richard so intensely she even led an army against the duke, defeating him at his headquarters in Ludlow at the Battle of Ludford Bridge on 12 October 1459. The Duke of York fled to [Ireland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ireland/) while Parliament, the 1459 'Parliament of Devils', identified him as a traitor and disinherited his heirs.

### Henry Deposed

In 1460 the fortunes were reversed, and a Yorkist army led by Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick (1428-71) and Richard's son Edward, Earl of March, defeated Queen Margaret's army at Northampton on 10 July and then captured King Henry. Richard, the Duke of York returned from Ireland and persuaded Henry, who was now in the Tower of London, to name him as the official heir to the throne, a decision ratified by the Act of Accord of 24 October. However, at the Battle of Wakefield on 30 December 1460 the Duke of York was killed and his army defeated by Henry VI loyalists led, once again, by the queen. Margaret ensured that Richard's head was displayed on a pike at Micklegate in York, adding a paper crown to remind everyone he had been a mere usurper. On 17 February 1461 another Yorkist army, led by the Earl of Warwick, was defeated at St. Albans, and Henry was rescued from his captivity.

[ ![Henry VI of England, National Portrait Gallery](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/11832.jpg?v=1607002204) Henry VI of England, National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11832/henry-vi-of-england-national-portrait-gallery/ "Henry VI of England, National Portrait Gallery")The Wars of the Roses were not over yet, though. Edward, the Duke of York's son, backed by the Earl of Warwick, was promoted as a replacement to his father and to King Henry. When Edward won the bloody Battle of Towton in March 1461, the largest and longest battle in English history, this is indeed what transpired. Henry VI was deposed, and he, Queen Margaret, and their son Edward (b. 13 October 1453) all fled to [Scotland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scotland/). Edward of York, just 19 years of age, was crowned Edward IV of England at Westminster Abbey on 28 June 1461. Even this was still not the end of the civil war, merely a pause.

### Reinstated - The 'Readeption'

While Queen Margaret and Prince Edward made it from Scotland to the greater safety of France, Henry VI was captured in Lancashire in July 1465 and imprisoned in the Tower of London again, where he was at least allowed to keep his pet dog and sparrow. There was to be another twist in the Roses War yet. When the Earl of Warwick and King Edward quarrelled over the latter's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, Warwick joined forces with Queen Margaret and defeated King Edward's army at Northampton in the Battle of Edgecote Moor (26 July 1469). Warwick imprisoned Edward IV in his castle at Middleham, but Edward managed to escape to Burgundy.

Meanwhile, Henry VI was briefly reinstated as king on 11 April 1470 (the 'Readeption') and he had his second English coronation, and third overall, in October of that year, this time in [Saint Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/)'s Cathedral. Edward IV was not to be deprived, though, and, backed by an Anglo-Dutch army, he won the Battle of Barnet on 14 April 1471 against his ex-ally Warwick. The battle was the first in England to see both sides use artillery as a major weapon. With Warwick killed in the aftermath of Barnet, and Henry's only son killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury on 4 May 1471, Edward was back on the throne.

### Death & Successors

Henry, deposed for a second time, also found himself a prisoner yet again. A few weeks later, on 21 May 1471, the ex-king, now aged 49, was stabbed to death in the Tower of London according to traditional accounts, dead from 'displeasure and melancholy' according to King Edward's official announcement, and from a bashed skull according to a 1910 forensic examination. The dead king's body was put on display for any doubters to see and then buried at Chertsey Abbey and later moved to Windsor Castle. Queen Margaret was imprisoned but was eventually released on payment of a ransom by her father the King of [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/), and she lived the rest of her days in her native France.

Edward IV would reign until his death in 1483, after which his son Edward V of England briefly became king from April to June of that year. Edward V was killed even before he had a chance to be crowned, most likely by his uncle Richard, the Duke of Gloucester in the Tower of London along with his younger brother Richard. Curiously, the Duke of Gloucester had been on duty in the Tower of London the night of Henry VI's murder. The Duke of Gloucester made himself king, [Richard III](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Richard_III/) (r. 1483-1485), and won a place in history as one of the most despised of all English monarchs. The Wars of the Roses rumbled on and Richard was killed at the [Battle of Bosworth](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Bosworth/) Field in August 1485. The victorious Henry Tudor of the House of Lancaster then became king [Henry VII of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VII_of_England/) (r. 1485-1509) and, marrying Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV in 1486, the two rival houses were finally united and a new one created: the Tudors.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Cannon, J. *The Kings and Queens of Britain.* Oxford University Press, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199559228/)
- [Cavendish, R. *Kings & Queens.* David & Charles, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0715323768/)
- [Crouch, D. *Medieval Britain, c.1000-1500.* Cambridge University Press, 2017.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0521149673/)
- [Hicks, M. *The War of the Roses.* Osprey Publishing, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1841764914/)
- [Jones, N. *Tower.* Griffin, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1250038405/)
- [Phillips, C. *The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Kings & Queens of Britain.* Lorenz Books, 2006.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0754816281/)
- [Phillips, C. *The Complete Illustrated History of Knights & The Golden Age of Chivalry.* Southwater, 2017.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1782142010/)
- [Ralph Lewis, B. *Kings and Queens of England.* Readers Digest, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0762104066/)
- [Saul, N. *The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval England.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192893246/)
- [Starkey, D. *Crown and Country.* HarperPress, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0007307721/)
- [Turvey, R. *Lancastrians, Yorkists and the Wars of the Roses, 1399-1509.* Hodder Education Publishers, 2015.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1471838226/)
- [Wilson, D. *Plantagenets.* Quercus, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0857380044/)

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Timeline

- **1337 CE - 1453 CE**: The [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/) between [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) and France.
- **1411 CE - 1460 CE**: Life of [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/).
- **6 Dec 1421 CE**: Birth of Henry, son of [Henry V of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_V_of_England/) and future [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) at [Windsor Castle](https://www.worldhistory.org/Windsor_Castle/).
- **1422 CE - 1461 CE**: First reign of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/).
- **31 Aug 1422 CE**: [Henry V of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_V_of_England/) dies, probably of dysentery, in Bois de Vincennes.
- **1429 CE**: [Joan of Arc](https://www.worldhistory.org/Joan_of_Arc/) lifts the Siege of Orleans; a major victory for the French in the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **17 Jul 1429 CE**: Coronation of Charles VII of France in Rheims.
- **6 Nov 1429 CE**: Coronation of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) in Westminster Abbey.
- **16 Dec 1431 CE**: Coronation of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) as king of France (Henry II) in Notre-dame de [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/).
- **1434 CE - 1435 CE**: Sir Henry Talbot orchestrates the successful defence of English-held [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/).
- **1435 CE**: The English lose the support of the Burgundians during the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **1436 CE**: The English lose control of [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/) during the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **1440 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) founds Eton College in Berkshire.
- **1441 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) founds King’s College, Cambridge.
- **1444 CE - 1449 CE**: There is a five-year truce between [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) and France during the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **1445 CE**: [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) loses control of Maine during the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **22 Apr 1445 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) marries Margaret of Anjou, niece of Charles VII of France.
- **1447 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) is the king's lieutenant in [Ireland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ireland/).
- **1450 CE**: There is a rebellion in [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) led by Jack Cade.
- **1450 CE**: [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) loses control of Normandy during the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **Feb 1452 CE - Mar 1452 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) launches a failed by marching his army to Dartford.
- **1453 CE**: [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/) loses control of Gascony during the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **1453 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) suffers his first episode of insanity.
- **Jul 1453 CE**: The English are defeated by the French at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Castillon, the last battle of the [Hundred Years' War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Years'_War/).
- **13 Oct 1453 CE**: Birth of Edward, the only son of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/).
- **Mar 1454 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) is made Protector of the Realm.
- **1455 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) imprisons his rival the Earl of Somerset in the [Tower of London](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tower_of_London/).
- **1455 CE - 1487 CE**: [Wars of the Roses](https://www.worldhistory.org/Wars_of_the_Roses/) in [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/).
- **22 May 1455 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) wins the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of St. Albans and the Earl of Somerset is killed.
- **Nov 1455 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) is made the Protector of the Realm for a second time.
- **25 Mar 1458 CE**: ‘Loveday’, [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/)'s attempt to reconcile the Yorkists and Lancastrians.
- **1459 CE**: The 'Parliament of Devils' identifies [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) as a traitor. The duke flees to [Ireland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ireland/).
- **12 Oct 1459 CE**: An army led by Queen Margaret defeats [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Ludford Bridge.
- **10 Jul 1460 CE**: A Yorkist army led by Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick and Edward, Earl of March defeats Queen Margaret’s army at Northampton. [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) is captured.
- **24 Oct 1460 CE**: The Act of Accord identifies [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) as the official heir of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/).
- **30 Dec 1460 CE**: [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.worldhistory.org/Richard_Duke_of_York/) is killed at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Wakefield.
- **1461 CE - 1470 CE**: First reign of [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/).
- **17 Feb 1461 CE**: A Yorkist army, led by the Earl of Warwick, is defeated at St. Albans. [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) is released from captivity.
- **29 Mar 1461 CE**: Edward of York wins the bloody [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Towton. [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) is deposed.
- **28 Jun 1461 CE**: Edward of York is crowned [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/) at Westminster Abbey.
- **1464 CE**: A Lancastrian army is defeated at Hexam by [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/).
- **Jul 1465 CE**: The fugitive ex-king [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) is captured in Lancashire and imprisoned in the [Tower of London](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tower_of_London/).
- **26 Jul 1469 CE**: The Earl of Warwick and Queen Margaret defeat King Edward IV’s army at Northampton in the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Edgecote Moor.
- **1470 CE - 1471 CE**: Second reign of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/).
- **11 Apr 1470 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) is reinstated as king (the ‘Readeption’).
- **Oct 1470 CE**: Second (English) coronation of [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/), this time in [Saint Paul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/)'s Cathedral.
- **1471 CE - 1483 CE**: Second reign of [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/).
- **14 Apr 1471 CE**: [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/) wins the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Barnet where the Earl of Warwick is killed.
- **4 May 1471 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/)’s only son Edward is killed at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Tewkesbury. Henry VI is imprisoned in the [Tower of London](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tower_of_London/) by [Edward IV of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Edward_IV_of_England/).
- **21 May 1471 CE**: [Henry VI of England](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/) is murdered in the [Tower of London](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tower_of_London/).

## External Links

- [The Madness of King Henry VI](https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/madness-king-henry-vi)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2020, February 04). Henry VI of England. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry\_VI\_of\_England/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/)
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Henry VI of England." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 04, 2020. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry\_VI\_of\_England/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/).
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Henry VI of England." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 Feb 2020, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry\_VI\_of\_England/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Henry_VI_of_England/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 04 February 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.