Why Did Fighting Break Out in 1455

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Why did fighting break out in 1455? To understand why fighting broke out we must first analyse the time period leading up to said event. From 1450-55 the situation the crown found itself in was very volatile, the slightest disturbance at nobility level could cause shockwaves that reverberated throughout the whole kingdom. King Henry VI had built a terrible reputation, demonstrating the inability to be decisive and clinical many a time. This lack of leadership at the highest level would inevitably cause disturbances to many facets of society; quarrels between nobility were not regulated or controlled, ownership of lands (abroad as well as England) was not properly accounted for. Henry had already laid the seeds for violence to grow; and in doing so he had made the very foundation of the monarchy unstable. In 1450 Cades rebellion had just ended, the first demonstration of mass public opinion channelled through violence for many a year. These events had not only empowered the common people, but had also given them belief in the fact they could influence the running of their country. The common people were not to be underestimated, their political awareness had grown substantially and they had formulated clear and concise thoughts. They believed the problem lay with the nobles, and how they influenced the king and his decisions. Due to these thought processes we must accept that there was huge amounts of tension between the nobility and commoners, it must have been common practice for nobles to be badmouthed in taverns and other social areas. This sense of injustice and pent up anger must have been building up within all commoners. Initially York would have been their voice but through no fault of his own he could not represent them. However the commons did not disappear and I think the impact of public opinion was a significant factor in the lead up to fighting in
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