Summary

It is now 1459 and tensions have continued to mount between the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. Rumors of a Yorkist conspiracy prompt Margaret to prepare for battle and the Yorkists subsequently refuse to attend a general council in June. By defying Henry's summons, the Yorkists "legitimized the court's suspicions of treason" (379). Yorkist armies are mustered but it is unclear whether they intend to usurp the king or to capture him and rule through him as a figurehead. Lancastrian forces are mustered in response and battle ensues. Yorkists win an early victory and insist that they assembled armies only to protect themselves. However, Yorkist soldiers flee at the next battle and York himself is forced to flee to Ireland. On the heels of Lancastrian victory, Henry agrees, somewhat reluctantly, to finally punish the Yorkist rebels properly. Twenty-six men are attainted of treason, including York, Salisbury...