Henry VI of England ruled as king from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. Succeeding his father Henry V of England (r. 1413-1422), Henry VI was crowned the king of France in 1431 but he could not prevent a French revival led by Charles VII of France (r. 1422-1461) and such figures as Joan of Arc (c. 1412-1431). The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was ultimately lost and with it all England's territory in France except Calais.
More about: Henry VI of EnglandDefinition
Timeline
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1337 - 1453The Hundred Years' War between England and France.
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1411 - 1460Life of Richard, Duke of York.
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6 Dec 1421Birth of Henry, son of Henry V of England and future Henry VI of England at Windsor Castle.
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1422 - 1461First reign of Henry VI of England.
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31 Aug 1422Henry V of England dies, probably of dysentery, in Bois de Vincennes.
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1429Joan of Arc lifts the Siege of Orleans; a major victory for the French in the Hundred Years' War.
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17 Jul 1429Coronation of Charles VII of France in Rheims.
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6 Nov 1429Coronation of Henry VI of England in Westminster Abbey.
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16 Dec 1431Coronation of Henry VI of England as king of France (Henry II) in Notre-dame de Paris.
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1434 - 1435Sir Henry Talbot orchestrates the successful defence of English-held Paris.
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1435The English lose the support of the Burgundians during the Hundred Years' War.
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1436The English lose control of Paris during the Hundred Years' War.
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1440Henry VI of England founds Eton College in Berkshire.
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1441Henry VI of England founds King’s College, Cambridge.
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1444 - 1449There is a five-year truce between England and France during the Hundred Years' War.
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1445England loses control of Maine during the Hundred Years' War.
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22 Apr 1445Henry VI of England marries Margaret of Anjou, niece of Charles VII of France.
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1447Richard, Duke of York is the king's lieutenant in Ireland.
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1450There is a rebellion in England led by Jack Cade.
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1450England loses control of Normandy during the Hundred Years' War.
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Feb 1452 - Mar 1452Richard, Duke of York launches a failed by marching his army to Dartford.
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1453England loses control of Gascony during the Hundred Years' War.
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1453Henry VI of England suffers his first episode of insanity.
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Jul 1453The English are defeated by the French at the Battle of Castillon, the last battle of the Hundred Years' War.
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13 Oct 1453Birth of Edward, the only son of Henry VI of England.
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Mar 1454Richard, Duke of York is made Protector of the Realm.
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1455 - 1487Wars of the Roses in England.
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1455Richard, Duke of York imprisons his rival the Earl of Somerset in the Tower of London.
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22 May 1455Richard, Duke of York wins the Battle of St. Albans and the Earl of Somerset is killed.
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Nov 1455Richard, Duke of York is made the Protector of the Realm for a second time.
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25 Mar 1458‘Loveday’, Henry VI of England's attempt to reconcile the Yorkists and Lancastrians.
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1459The 'Parliament of Devils' identifies Richard, Duke of York as a traitor. The duke flees to Ireland.
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12 Oct 1459An army led by Queen Margaret defeats Richard, Duke of York at the Battle of Ludford Bridge.
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10 Jul 1460A Yorkist army led by Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick and Edward, Earl of March defeats Queen Margaret’s army at Northampton. Henry VI of England is captured.
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24 Oct 1460The Act of Accord identifies Richard, Duke of York as the official heir of Henry VI of England.
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30 Dec 1460Richard, Duke of York is killed at the Battle of Wakefield.
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1461 - 1470First reign of Edward IV of England.
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17 Feb 1461A Yorkist army, led by the Earl of Warwick, is defeated at St. Albans. Henry VI of England is released from captivity.
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29 Mar 1461Edward of York wins the bloody Battle of Towton. Henry VI of England is deposed.
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28 Jun 1461Edward of York is crowned Edward IV of England at Westminster Abbey.
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1464A Lancastrian army is defeated at Hexam by Edward IV of England.
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Jul 1465The fugitive ex-king Henry VI of England is captured in Lancashire and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
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26 Jul 1469The Earl of Warwick and Queen Margaret defeat King Edward IV’s army at Northampton in the Battle of Edgecote Moor.
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1470 - 1471Second reign of Henry VI of England.
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11 Apr 1470Henry VI of England is reinstated as king (the ‘Readeption’).
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Oct 1470Second (English) coronation of Henry VI of England, this time in Saint Paul's Cathedral.
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1471 - 1483Second reign of Edward IV of England.
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14 Apr 1471Edward IV of England wins the Battle of Barnet where the Earl of Warwick is killed.
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4 May 1471Henry VI of England’s only son Edward is killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Henry VI is imprisoned in the Tower of London by Edward IV of England.
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21 May 1471Henry VI of England is murdered in the Tower of London.
