Henry VI of England ruled as king from 1422 to 1461 CE and again from 1470 to 1471 CE. Succeeding his father Henry V of England (r. 1413-1422 CE), Henry VI was crowned the king of France in 1431 CE but he could not prevent a French revival led by Charles VII of France (r. 1422-1461 CE) and such figures as Joan of Arc (c. 1412-1431 CE). The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453 CE) 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 (1455-1487 CE) 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 CE. Despite military victories by Henry's wife, Queen Margaret, the king was ultimately deposed by Richard's son Edward in 1461 CE. Henry would make a brief return to the throne in 1470 CE before Edward, now Edward IV of England (1461-1470 & 1471-1483 CE), 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 in May 1471 CE.
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Timeline
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1337 - 1453The Hundred Years' War between England and France.
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1411 - 1460Life of Richard, Duke of York.
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6 Dec 1421Birth of Henry, son of Henry V of England and future Henry VI of England at Windsor Castle.
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1422 - 1461First reign of Henry VI of England.
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31 Aug 1422Henry V of England dies, probably of dysentery, in Bois de Vincennes.
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1429Joan of Arc lifts the Siege of Orleans; a major victory for the French in the Hundred Years' War.
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17 Jul 1429Coronation of Charles VII of France in Rheims.
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6 Nov 1429Coronation of Henry VI of England in Westminster Abbey.
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16 Dec 1431Coronation of Henry VI of England as king of France (Henry II) in Notre-dame de Paris.
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1434 - 1435Sir Henry Talbot orchestrates the successful defence of English-held Paris.
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1435The English lose the support of the Burgundians during the Hundred Years' War.
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1436The English lose control of Paris during the Hundred Years' War.
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1440Henry VI of England founds Eton College in Berkshire.
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1441Henry VI of England founds King’s College, Cambridge.
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1444 - 1449There is a five-year truce between England and France during the Hundred Years' War.
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1445England loses control of Maine during the Hundred Years' War.
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22 Apr 1445Henry VI of England marries Margaret of Anjou, niece of Charles VII of France.
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1447Richard, Duke of York is the king's lieutenant in Ireland.
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1450There is a rebellion in England led by Jack Cade.
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1450England loses control of Normandy during the Hundred Years' War.
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Feb 1452 - Mar 1452Richard, Duke of York launches a failed by marching his army to Dartford.
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1453England loses control of Gascony during the Hundred Years' War.
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1453Henry VI of England suffers his first episode of insanity.
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Jul 1453The English are defeated by the French at the Battle of Castillon, the last battle of the Hundred Years' War.
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13 Oct 1453Birth of Edward, the only son of Henry VI of England.
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Mar 1454Richard, Duke of York is made Protector of the Realm.
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1455 - 1487Wars of the Roses in England.
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1455Richard, Duke of York imprisons his rival the Earl of Somerset in the Tower of London.
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22 May 1455Richard, Duke of York wins the Battle of St. Albans and the Earl of Somerset is killed.
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Nov 1455Richard, Duke of York is made the Protector of the Realm for a second time.
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25 Mar 1458‘Loveday’, Henry VI of England's attempt to reconcile the Yorkists and Lancastrians.
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1459The 'Parliament of Devils' identifies Richard, Duke of York as a traitor. The duke flees to Ireland.
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12 Oct 1459An army led by Queen Margaret defeats Richard, Duke of York at the Battle of Ludford Bridge.
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10 Jul 1460A 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 is captured.
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24 Oct 1460The Act of Accord identifies Richard, Duke of York as the official heir of Henry VI of England.
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30 Dec 1460Richard, Duke of York is killed at the Battle of Wakefield.
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1461 - 1470First reign of Edward IV of England.
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17 Feb 1461A Yorkist army, led by the Earl of Warwick, is defeated at St. Albans. Henry VI of England is released from captivity.
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29 Mar 1461Edward of York wins the bloody Battle of Towton. Henry VI of England is deposed.
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28 Jun 1461Edward of York is crowned Edward IV of England at Westminster Abbey.
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1464A Lancastrian army is defeated at Hexam by Edward IV of England.
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Jul 1465The fugitive ex-king Henry VI of England is captured in Lancashire and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
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26 Jul 1469The Earl of Warwick and Queen Margaret defeat King Edward IV’s army at Northampton in the Battle of Edgecote Moor.
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1470 - 1471Second reign of Henry VI of England.
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11 Apr 1470Henry VI of England is reinstated as king (the ‘Readeption’).
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Oct 1470Second (English) coronation of Henry VI of England, this time in Saint Paul's Cathedral.
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1471 - 1483Second reign of Edward IV of England.
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14 Apr 1471Edward IV of England wins the Battle of Barnet where the Earl of Warwick is killed.
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4 May 1471Henry VI of England’s only son Edward is killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Henry VI is imprisoned in the Tower of London by Edward IV of England.
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21 May 1471Henry VI of England is murdered in the Tower of London.
