The personality of King Henry VI is an area that regularly is debated by historians of the Wars of the Roses. Consequently, it is of relevance to students following an A-Level in history that includes the causes and course of the wars. Henry’s personality is seen by some historians as being a contributory factor in the causes of the wars. Others point to evidence of the good deeds that he undertook and the positive legacies that he left us. This lesson explores some of the contemporary source material on Henry’s character traits.
Lesson outline
This lesson works on a source by source basis. It is split into two sections. The two sections offer rather different views of King Henry VI, reflecting the range of opinions of him at the time. Questions following each source relate to issues of provenance, detail, reliability, context and bias. The intention is to focus on several issues that students will need to consider when assessing the overall value of a selection of sources, as per the style of questioning in the AQA A-Level syllabus.
A more active approach to looking at these sources will be added soon, as will a downloadable version with additional commentary.
We highly recommend that teachers who are unfamiliar with this unit at A-Level read the Historical Association guide on using sources on this course. It is available in pdf format here. Other Primary and Secondary Sources relating to the Wars of the Roses are here.
Source 1
It is written that we are to praise no man before his death, but that in the end shall be the exposing of his works… I have therefore thought fit to treat of some matters to the praise of God and of the serene prince King Henry VI now deceased…He was a simple man, without any crook of craft or untruth, as is plain to all. With none did he deal craftily, nor even would say an untrue word to any, but framed his speech always to speak truth…Against the pest of avarice with which so many are infected and diseased, even princes of the earth, this king Henry of whom we speak was most wary and alert… to the confusion of avarice he was very bountiful with his gifts, as his former servants bore witness… The same prince when in the end he lost both the realms, England and France, which he had ruled before, along with all his wealth and goods, endured it with no broken spirit but with a calm mind, making light of all temporal things, if he might but gain Christ and things eternal… He also customarily wore a long gown with a rolled hood like a townsman, and a full coat reaching below his knees, with shoes, boots and foot-gear wholly black, rejecting expressly all curious fashion of clothing… to confirm his notable devotion to God, many who yet survive and were once of his household say that he was wont almost at every moment to raise his eyes heavenward like a denizen of heaven or one rapt, being for the time not conscious of himself or of those about him, as if he were a man in a trance or on the verge of heaven…’
John Blackman, written shortly after the death of Henry VI
- How did John Blackman know King Henry VI?
- Have they received the information first- or second-hand?
- Does his role give them him insight? Or is it the opposite?
Source 2
Oh good Harry, the sixth by name
Both of England and of France
A king you were of royal fame,
And of full worthy vengeance…
A king you were of great renown
And of virtue most excellent…
As a true knight, both day and night,
Our saviour you did honour
With heart and mind, with will and might…
A prince you were meek and benign,
Patient in adversity…
In your gesture you were like Job
Steadfast of faith and mild of mode…
James Ryman: A Remembrance of Henry VI, 1492
- Why is the date of this commemorative poem of importance when assessing its usefulness?
- What impression of King Henry VI does the source give the reader?
- What do you think the purpose of the source is?
Source 3
[The earl was urged by the council] to remain about the king’s person, to do his utmost in teaching him good manners, literature, languages, nurture and curiosity and other studies necessary for so great a prince; to exhort him to love, honour and fear the Creator; and to draw himself to the virtues an eschew vice; to chastise him reasonably from time to time as occasion shall require; also to lay before him] mirrors and examples of times passed of the good grace, prosperity and well-being that have fallen into virtuous kings.
Instructions to Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, as Guardian and Tutor of Henry VI.
- Who would have given the Earl of Warwick these instructions?
- What is the purpose of these instructions?
- In what way may the implementation of these instructions impact upon the personality of the infant King Henry?
Source 4
Would that his subjects were inclined towards the example of our king. With what reverence he adores the sign of the cross when his priests meet him. For I know how many men of more robust life, who did not have the cross in great reverence, were turned by the example of our most devoted king to a greater fervour of faith and to a most faithful embracing of the glorious sign of our Lord. It would be most highly pleasing to our lord the king if his subjects should be reformed by his good example.
John Capgrove, 1447
- Does Capgrove give precise details of events, mood, or the context?
- What opinion does Capgrove have of King Henry VI?
- Compare Capgrove with the Instructions given to Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. What does Capgrove’s account suggest about the way in which Beauchamp carried out his role as guardian and tutor
Source 5
[Henry VI at the age of 16] avoided the sight and conversation of women, affirming these to be the work of the devil and quoting from the Gospel, ‘He who casts his eyes on a woman so as to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’
Piero da Monte, 1437
Piero da Monte was a Papal Scholar and Diplomat. He once described England as being so devoted to the church that a choir of angels would be unable to separate the realm from the Roman obedience. A biography is available on the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, here.
- Who would da Monte be writing this for?
- Would da Monte have first-hand insight into Henry’s personality?
- What motives might da Monte have for saying this about the king?
Exam Style Question
With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these sources (1-5) to a historian studying the personality of King Henry VI.
Note: In the exam, there will be fewer sources.
Tips:
- Consider the dates of these sources. Are they immediate, or reflective? How might the dates influence the tone? Is there anything NOT mentioned in the sources that need to be taken into consideration when assessing the value of the sources?
- Think about the age at which the king was if they are written first-hand, at the time.
- What detail is provided? Are they giving specific examples to illustrate the king’s personality or generalised commentary?
- Is there a specific purpose to the sources? Have they got any audiences or focuses on their mind? Again, is there anything else from the period that would need to be considered when assessing the value of the sources?
Henry VI: Alternative Perspectives?
Source 6
Between the first battle of St. Albans in May 1455 and the battle of Towton in March 1461, 37 peers (and possibly 5 more), who were the heads successively of 32 noble families, fought for him [King Henry], and in the end only 3 of these deserted him for the Yorkist side; 15 died for him, 12 on the battlefield and 3 were afterwards executed by their victorious foes.
Professor JR Lander
- In this period there were approximately 60 noble families. Not all of them fought in the Wars of the Roses at this period. Some nobles were also based in Ireland, France, or Wales. Bearing that in mind, what does the number of nobles fighting in Henry’s armies c1455-1461 say about the loyalty of the nobility to the crown?
- “only 3 deserted him for the Yorkist side” What does this suggest about Henry’s personality? What other things may have influenced the allegiances of the nobility?
Source 7
The Earl Richard of Warwick kept the king
During all his time…
The Earl Richard, in much worthyhead,
Informed him; but of his simplehead
He could little from breast conceive,
For good and evil he scarce perceive…
The Earl of Warwick then conceived
Of the simpleness and great innocence
Of King Henry, as he it well perceived,
Desired to be discharged of his diligence
About the king…
Chronicle of John Hardyng.
Hardyng had fought in campaigns led by King Henry V for which he received a pension for life. His chronicle was written in rhymes and covered both the mythological origin of Britain along with more contemporary commentary. Hardyng’s first edition of the chronicle was published in 1437 and dedicated to King Henry VI. At the time of his death, he was working on a second version, for which had been begun for Richard, 3rd Duke of York and continued for King Edward IV. The second volume refers to Elizabeth Woodville, so was incredibly contemporary.
- Which version of Hardyng’s Chronicle is this verse from? How can you tell?
- Hardyng changed his style and tone between the first and second versions of his chronicle. Why would he do that?
- What impression of King Henry VI does this verse give you?
Source 8
…and other changes that took place in the kingdom were due to the simple-mindedness of the king who was neither intelligent enough nor experienced enough to manage a kingdom such as England… For it is a true proverb which says, ‘Very afflicted is the land whose prince is a child or rules like one’… For, because the king, Henry VI, has not in his time been such a man as is needed to govern such a realm, each one who has a power with him has wished to strengthen himself by getting control over the king.
Jean de Waurin
Jean de Waurin was a Burgundian soldier, chronicler, and political commentator. He fought at the Battle of Agincourt on the French side but also fought in an Anglo-Burgundian force against the French. He died in 1474.
- Does de Waurin provide specific or vague details of events in this passage?
- What can we learn about the views of Henry VI held by people at the time from this passage?
- What does de Waurin suggest about Henry’s strength of character? In what way is this relevant to an assessment of the king’s personality?
- Burgundy was heavily involved in the Wars of the Roses. Which side did they support and how might this influence de Waurin’s writing on the subject?
Source 9
It is to enquired for our sovereign lord the king whether John Merfeld of Brightling of the shire of Sussex, husbandman, and William Merfeld at Brightling in the open market on 26th July 1450, falsely said that the king was a natural fool and would often hold a staff in his hands with a bird on the end, playing therewith as a fool, and that another king must be ordained to rule the land, saying that the king was no person to rule the land.
Kings Bench Ancient Indictments, 1450
- What is the provenance of this source?
- What does the charge tell us about attitudes towards Kingship and the Monarchy in 15th century England?
- What is the context of this charge? What was happening in and around Sussex at this time?
- If the accused were guilty of these offences, what does it suggest about the public perception of King Henry VI at the time?
Source 10
[Henry Vi was] his mother’s stupid offspring, not his fathers, a son greatly degenerated from the father, who did not cultivate the art of war… a mild-spoken, pious king, but half-witted in affairs of state.
Whethamsted’s Register
Authored by John Whethamsted, Abbot of St. Albans from 1452 to 1465.
- How would the Abbot of St. Albans be qualified to pass comment on the personality traits of King Henry VI?
- Why might Whethamsted state that the king was ‘his mother’s stupid offspring’?
- Does Whethamsted suggest any positive attributes that Henry had? What were they and why are these positives?
Source 11
In Lent of 1460, King Henry VI visited the monastery at Crowland, staying 3 nights. He prayed and observed mass with the monks. By way of thanks, he exempted the monastery and village of Crowland from tax and ‘demands’ from royal servants. The following was written the year after, in the Crowland Chronicle:
[In 1461] the nobles of the realm, and all the people who inhabited the midland counties of England, as well as those who lived in the eastern and western parts, or in any way bordered upon the midland district, seeing that they were despised and abandoned by King Henry, who, at the instigation of the Queen, had taken himself to the north, utterly deserted him; their hearts were no longer with him, nor would they allow any more of his being king. Besides, in consequence of an illness of mind, and had for a time remained in a condition of imbecility and held the government of the realm in name only.
First continuation of the Crowland Chronicle
- What happened between Henry granting Crowland tax exemptions and the writing of this passage?
- What does the passage tell historians about the personality of Henry VI and his abilities at this period?
- In what ways might ‘a condition of imbecility’ alter the personality of, or public perception of, King Henry VI?
Exam Style Question
With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these sources (6-11) to a historian studying the personality of King Henry VI.
Note: there will be fewer sources in the exam.
Tips
- Consider the events that are taking place at the time that each of the sources was written.
- Think about the political allegiances of the authors or the way in which contemporary events may have influenced their point of view.
- Look at the level of detail in the sources. Do they give specific or vague references to events? Does that impact on their value to historians?
- Think back to sources 1-5. Are there alternative perspectives that sources 6-11 do not address?
Task: Personality of Henry VI
Consider each source. Is it angry, or calm? Is it specific, or vague? Once you have assessed each source, place it on the graph below. This will visualise the range of sources, providing an at a glance guide to the types of source on this topic that there are. Remember to use scale on the graph, the angrier it is, the further to the top. The more specific it is, the further to the right etc.
Articles
From Henry VI and the problems of Kingship by JOhn Watts: The Problem of the Kings Personality.
Leigh Ann Craig. “Royalty, Virtue, and Adversity: The Cult of King Henry VI.” Albion: A Quarterly Journal Concerned with British Studies, vol. 35, no. 2, 2003, pp. 187–209. >JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4054134. Accessed 17 June 2020.