Weakened as the crown had been by losses abroad, it was clearly strong enough as yet to hold its own against the chief of the baronage.

A general amnesty indeed sheltered York's adherents and enabled the Duke himself to retire safely to Ludlow, but for more than a year his rival Somerset wielded without opposition the power Richard had striven to wrest from him.

A favourable turn in the progress of the war gave fresh vigour to the Government.

The French forces were abruptly called from their march against Calais to the recovery of the south.

The towns of Guienne had opened their gates to Charles on his pledge to respect their franchises, but the need of the French treasury was too great to respect the royal word, and heavy taxation turned the hopes of Gascony to its old masters.