Post Towton-Highs and Lows!
The Lows!
At York Henry VI and queen Margaret of victory did talk!
But when news of Towton came, out of their quarters with sad hearts did they walk!
In York, King Henry VI and his queen waited for news from Towton. The suspense was nerve-wrackinging but the word when it came, was like a dagger thrust into the heart at point blank range. Henry must have been emotionally shattered by this catastrophic event. A nervous man, his powers of resilience, less than considerable, he must have cut a most forlorn figure in the depths of defeat.
King Henry VI in a rather sad frame of mind. Perfectly understandable given the circumstances.
As the shock of the disastrous defeat at Towton sunk in, Queen Margaret considered her options for the Lancastrian cause. How to dislodge Edward and the Yorkists? Perhaps the answer lie in the land on the other side of the Channel?
In the summer of 1461 Margaret decided to approach the King of France, the newly enthroned Louis XI.
Louis XI of France.
King Louis expressed support for Queen Margaret which heartened her greatly. Nevertheless the future for the Lancastrian cause was uncertain.
The Highs -Meanwhile down south.
Edward sat in London and prepared for his coronation!
Basking in the adulation of most of the English nation!
Things were going swimingly for Edward in London. He began to prepare for his coronation, which would be a lavish affair. The people of London appeared to adore him and swooned at his manly appearence and kingly bearing. The late June days of 1461 were ones of veritable fiesta in the city of London. There was a sense of tremendous joy abroad in every dwelling place, lane and thoroughfare.
It was a case of immense, great expectations for the young, outrageously handsome, new king Edward IV.
London was gripped in a frnzy of delireous joy!
Felt by every man, woman, girl and boy!
Edward’s coronation as Edward IV.
Edward’s coronation in Westminster Abbey on Sunday June 29th was a sumptuous occasion. Few monarchs could have hoped for a more auspicious beginning to their reign.
The only fly in the ointment was that the emotionally unstabe, Henry VI and his formidable queen, Margaret still lurked north of the border.