In February 1456 King Henry VI resumed his personal rule, bringing an end to the second of Richard Duke of York‘s periods as Protector of the Realm.
Bale’s Chronicle notes this as the date upon which Henry VI resumed personal rule.
“[on 21st February 1456] the king resumed his rule and discharged the Duke of York of the protectorship“.
Henry’s return to Personal Rule
Henry is recorded as having attended Parliament in this week, and the Protectorship did come to an end at around this time. As is quite common, dates in sources do not match precisely. However, there was parliamentary activity on this date, detailed below, so it is quite conceivable that the decision to resume personal rule had been taken and the transfer of power back to the King was being managed at this point. The parliamentary roll suggests 25 February for Henry officially resuming control.
Parliament and Protectionist Measures against Italian Merchants
The same date saw Parliament deal with a petition regarding Italian merchants. The commons asked for protectionist measures to ensure that prices and profits were at an adequate level. From the Parliamentary Roll:
“Italian merchants travel round the county to buy woollen cloth, wool, wool fells and tin they are able to see the poverty of the people and, by offering to pay for the goods with ready cash, keep prices low. From 21st February 1456 they should be allowed to buy those goods only in the ports of London, Southampton and Sandwich, upon pain of forfeiting the goods bought. And the said merchants should sell all their imported goods to the King’s lieges within four months, and if they fail to sell them may export them without paying custom. But if they do not sell to the King’s lieges and do not depart as soon as weather permits after four months they should forfeit all their goods. If they are storm driven to another port they may buy woollen cloth there.”
Featured Image
King Henry VI. From BL Harley 4205 f. 8. Via Luminarium.
