Richard, Duke of York

Biography

Richard of York had the strongest hereditary claim to the English throne — arguably stronger than Henry VI's own. As a royal duke and experienced soldier who had governed France and Ireland, he watched with growing fury as Henry VI's court was monopolized by incompetent favorites, above all Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. His rivalry with Somerset was personal, political, and deadly. York twice became Lord Protector during Henry's mental collapses, but each time Henry recovered and Somerset's faction reasserted itself. In 1460, Parliament recognized York as heir to the throne through the Act of Accord — but he never lived to be king. Killed at Wakefield at 49, he gave the Yorkist cause to his more formidable son Edward.

Key Battles