The uneasy peace: the influence of Margaret of Anjou; factional rivalries and their impact on English society
After the first Battle of St Albans in 1455, England entered a fragile truce. Queen Margaret of Anjou drove Lancastrian policy, while rival noble factions destabilised the country.
Real World
Margaret of Anjou's role resembles that of a regent in all but name: she built a northern noble coalition around her son's inheritance, much as Catherine de' Medici wielded power behind the French throne for her minor sons in the same era.
Exam Focus
Distinguish Margaret's personal agency from Lancastrian faction more broadly — examiners reward precise attribution of cause to named individuals.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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