Henry Six Confronts York at Dartford
Henry VI assembled royal forces against the Duke of York's armed protest, and the duke abandoned his challenge after the confrontation near Dartford.
Wars of the Roses · Permanent subject page
Henry VI
The Lancastrian king and his role in the dynastic conflict.
33 matching records from the 512-record archive. Year range: 1452–1471. These events are grouped by recorded place and year (or by person); their original event titles, descriptions and dates are retained.
1452
1455
Henry Travels Toward Leicester Council
Henry VI travelled north toward a proposed council at Leicester shortly before his party encountered Yorkist troops at St Albans.
Henry Raises Standard at Saint Albans
Henry VI's party prepared to resist the approaching Yorkists at St Albans, where the royal standard marked the king's presence during the confrontation.
Henry Receives Yorkist Demands
Henry VI received demands from the Duke of York's supporters before fighting broke out at St Albans; attempts to reach an agreement failed.
Royal Army Gathers Against York
Henry VI's government summoned armed supporters as Richard, Duke of York, advanced to confront the royal party in May 1455.
1456
Henry Shifts Political Centre to Midlands
Henry VI and Queen Margaret increasingly relied on supporters in the Midlands as the court distanced itself from Yorkist influence in London.
1459
Henry Advances to Ludford Defensive Line
Henry VI's army drew up opposite the Yorkist defences around Ludford Bridge during the October 1459 confrontation.
Henry Prevails Without Pitched Battle
Henry VI's large royal army prevailed at Ludford Bridge when York's troops dispersed during the night rather than fight a pitched battle.
Henrys Presence Weakens Yorkist Commitment
Henry VI's presence with the royal army made the Yorkists' claims to be defending the king from advisers difficult to sustain in open combat.
Royal Army Confronts Yorkists Across Teme
Henry VI's army approached the Yorkists' fortified line near the River Teme, creating a dangerous standoff south of Ludlow.
Royal Host Wins Without Major Engagement
Henry VI's forces won the Ludford campaign because the Yorkist army disintegrated before a major pitched battle was fought.
Coventry Parliament Attaints Yorkists
The Coventry Parliament meeting under Henry VI passed attainders against Richard of York and leading supporters after the collapse of their army at Ludford Bridge.
Coventry Parliament Follows Ludford Rout
Henry VI's government convened Parliament at Coventry following Ludford, where the Yorkist leaders were punished through attainder.
Henry Uses Blore Heath in Attainder Charges
The Lancastrian government invoked the armed opposition at Blore Heath when the Coventry Parliament attainted leading Yorkists for treason.
King Henry Advances With Larger Host
Henry VI's royal army advanced toward the Yorkists near Ludlow with a numerical advantage that placed York's supporters under severe pressure.
Ludlow Suffers Plunder After Yorkist Flight
After the Yorkist leaders fled, soldiers loyal to Henry VI entered Ludlow and plundered the town.
Royal Government Treats Yorkists as Traitors
Henry VI's government branded the leading Yorkist lords as traitors through parliamentary action following the 1459 campaign.
Royal Troops Capture Abandoned Yorkist Stores
The king's army took possession of the defensive positions and supplies abandoned by York's fleeing troops near Ludlow.
1460
Henry Captured at Northampton
Henry VI fell into Yorkist custody after Warwick's forces overran the royal position at the Battle of Northampton.
Henry Remains King Under Accord
The Act of Accord left Henry VI on the throne for life while excluding his son Edward from the succession in favour of Richard of York.
Royal Captive Enters Yorkist London
The Yorkists brought Henry VI under their control after Northampton, enabling Richard of York and Warwick to dominate royal government.
1461
Lancastrians Recover Henry at Saint Albans
The Lancastrian victory at the Second Battle of St Albans restored custody of Henry VI to the queen's supporters.
Henrys Northern Allies Suffer Towton Defeat
The defeat at Towton killed or scattered many senior Lancastrian nobles who had supported Henry VI's claim to the throne.
Henry Flees Toward Scotland After Towton
Henry VI fled into Scotland with Margaret of Anjou and their son Edward after learning of the Lancastrian defeat at Towton.
Henry Loses Control After Towton
The defeat of Henry VI's principal field army at Towton left Edward IV in control of the crown, forcing Henry's government into exile.
Henrys Surviving Allies Gather in Exile
Lancastrian nobles who escaped the defeat at Towton joined Henry VI's exiled court, preserving the possibility of future resistance.
Lancastrians Fail to Occupy London
Following their success at the Second Battle of St Albans, the Lancastrian leaders could not secure entry into London and ultimately withdrew north.
1465
Henry Captured After Years in Hiding
Henry VI was captured while in hiding in northern England and brought to the Tower of London, where Edward IV held him as a prisoner.
1470
Henry Sixth Briefly Restored to Throne
Henry VI was restored to the throne after Warwick drove Edward IV into exile, beginning a short second period of Lancastrian rule.
1471
Henry Sixth Loses Restored Throne
Henry VI's brief restoration ended when Edward IV entered London, took him prisoner and resumed royal authority.
Death of Imprisoned Henry Sixth
Henry VI died in custody shortly after the defeat of his supporters at Tewkesbury, bringing the Lancastrian restoration to an end.
Henry Returned to Tower Captivity
After Edward IV recovered London in April 1471, Henry VI was again confined in the Tower, where he died the following month.
Henry Sixth Dies in London Tower
Henry VI died while imprisoned in the Tower of London in May 1471; contemporary official explanations were disputed and later historians widely suspect murder.