Henry VI

Henry VI of England was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. He became king when he was only a few months old, after the death of his father, Henry V. Because he was too young to rule, the government was led by nobles and advisers until he reached adulthood. His reign took place during a period of conflict inside England and abroad.

Henry was also named King of France in 1422 under the terms of the earlier Treaty of Troyes. However, the French forces, supported by figures such as Joan of Arc, pushed back the English armies. Over time, most of the English land in France was lost. By 1453, England controlled only Calais. This marked the end of English hopes of ruling large parts of France.

As Henry grew older, he faced growing problems at home. Many nobles argued about who should advise the king and who should command the royal armies. One of the most powerful nobles was Richard, Duke of York. He claimed that his family had a strong right to the throne. The dispute between the royal family lines of Lancaster (Henry's family) and York led to a series of civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses. These wars involved many battles and shifting alliances.

Henry was known to have periods of illness that made it hard for him to make decisions. During one long illness, Richard, Duke of York, was made Protector of the Realm, meaning he acted as a temporary leader. When Henry recovered, arguments between the two sides increased again. In 1461, York’s son, Edward, was declared king as Edward IV, and Henry was forced to step down.

Henry was captured and later escaped with help from loyal followers. In 1470, a noble named the Earl of Warwick restored Henry to the throne. This period is sometimes called the "Readeption." It lasted only a few months. In 1471, Edward IV defeated Henry’s supporters in battle and became king again. Henry was captured and died soon afterward while held in the Tower of London.

Henry VI is remembered for his troubled reign, marked by the loss of territory in France and the beginning of the Wars of the Roses. His weak position as king and the strong rival claims of other nobles shaped the political events of England during the 1400s.