15th Century – Age of Revival

Introduction

The importance of the time is belied by its apparent barrenness. In reality it is a season of healthy fallow, of germination, of rest and recuperation. The literary impulse, slowly awakening, is waiting for the right moment. When that moment comes the long period of rest gives the new movement swift and enduring force.”

—Edward Albert

The 15th century is generally considered to be a barren period in the field of literary production because we don’t find much literary output of substantial merit in this period as it was in the age of Chaucer. This does not mean that the period is not important. It is a period of revolutionary changes in the political, social and economic spheres of English life.

Political Conditions

It was a period of foreign wars abroad and civil wars at home. Henry V, who succeeded Henry IV, had a passion for the expansion of England. He resolved to revive the war against France and started negotiations demanding the French throne, French revenue and a French bride (the French King, Charles VI’s daughter) In 1415, he crossed over to France and gained victory in the battle of Agincourt. Henry’s success gained him the popular support of the English nation and made him the national hero. However, he died young at an age of thirty-five leaving behind a nine months old baby who was christened as Henry VI and was declared the king of England and France. Henry VI did not emerge as a strong king to maintain a powerful hold on the English Empire. Soon after, the French under the leadership of a French peasant girl, Joan of Arc, regained all their possessions. Two important rebellions took place in England during Henry VI’s reign:

01. Cade’s Rebellion (1450)

Cade’s rebellion was a popular uprising headed by Jack Cade, an Irishman of uncertain occupation living in Kent, in 1450 against Henry VI’s government and his policies. It originated in south-eastern England in the month of April and culminated in July. It was a reaction against the corruption, maladministration and abuse of power of the King’s closest advisors and local officials. The recent losses in the “Hundred Year’s War” also added to the popular resentment. Though, Cade’s followers mostly comprised peasants and small landowners from Kent, the rebellion was also joined by men of fortune including the clergymen. Cade and his people defeated a royal army  in Kent and entered London, where they executed the Lord Treasurer. They intended to force the government to reform the administration. Though, Cade died during the rebellion, protest against the government continued even after his death.

Cade’s rebellion was the largest popular uprising in England during the 15th century. It was a manifestation of the disorderly state of England at that time and of the ineffective law and order. It contributed to the breakdown of the royal authority that ensued to the Wars of the Roses.

2. Wars of the Roses (1455-85)

Wars of the Roses refers to a series of civil wars fought between two royal families, the “Yorks” and the “Lancasters,” over the control of English throne in the mid-to-late fifteenth century. The house of Yorks used “red rose” as its symbol while Lancastrians used “white rose,” hence the term “Wars of the Roses”. The reason of the dispute dates back to 1399, when Henry IV (Lancaster) overthrew Richard II (York) from the English throne. Declining royal authority during the ineffective governance of Henry VI, along with the resentment among the masses over the losses in later stages of the Hundred Years’ War accentuated the divide among the two royal families. There was also a rise of  large independent noble armies who heeded no or little loyalty to the crown.

Occurring in three phases, the wars began in 1455 with the first battle of St. Albans, when Richard (Duke of York) and his ally, Richard (Earl of Warwick) jointly defeated Lancastrians. The second phase involved a rebellion within the York family, which provided an opportunity for the Lancasters to reassert their claim. They briefly succeeded, but the crown soon fell back into the hands of the Yorks. The third phase of the war started after the death of York king Edward IV. It was fought between Richard III and Tudor Henry on the Lancastrian side. The war ended with Richard, losing his throne to the Tudor King Henry VII.

The war led to an extinction of the male heirs in both the dynasties, thus giving the Tudor family opportunity to inherit the Lancastrian’s claims. After the war ended the houses of Tudor and York united, creating a new royal dynasty, which finally resolved the issue of rival claims over the throne. Thus was established the Tudor dynasty in England with Henry VII as the first Tudor monarch. Monarchy was strengthened under Tudors, and the relative peace at home eventually led to the dawn of English Renaissance.

Social and Religious Conditions

Henry VII emerged as a powerful ruler, who suppressed the power of the nobles and gradually the old medieval system of baronial ‘feudalism’ came to an end. Another medieval system of ‘chivalry’ was also practically banished. The third and the final symbol of medievalism, i.e., ‘monasticism’ also received a death-blow, when Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic church. In 1534, his parliament passed the “Act of Supremacy” statute, recognising King Henry VIII as the supreme head of the church in England. This break from the Church represents England’s maturity into a wholly independent, sovereign nation-state. Henry VIII’s separation from Rome also stimulated a ‘Reformation’ of religious doctrine. Thus his reign marks England’s transition from medievalism to modernism characterised by the gradual strengthening of a national government.

Economic Conditions

The decline of feudal system and a break from the Catholic Church slowly increased the strength of the middle class, and the merchant class gradually expanded. England made considerable progress in agriculture and sheep breeding. Improved methods of cultivation brought prosperity to the peasants and improved their standard of living. In towns, trade flourished and merchants accumulated wealth. Bristol became an important centre of trade, and the general prosperity of the merchants facilitated higher living standards for the middle class people.

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