from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regent
s. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars of the Roses
, which were to commence during his reign. His periods of insanity and his inherent benevolence eventually required his wife, Margaret of Anjou
, to assume control of his kingdom, which contributed to his own downfall, the collapse of the House of Lancaster
, and the rise of the House of York
.
Henry was the only child and heir of King Henry V of England
.
1422 Henry VI becomes King of England at the age of 9 months.
1431 Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris.
1441 King Henry VI of England founds Eton College.
1450 Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen revolt against King Henry VI.
1455 Wars of the Roses: at the First Battle of St Albans, Richard, Duke of York, defeats and captures King Henry VI of England.
1460 Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick defeats the king's Lancastrian forces and takes King Henry VI prisoner in the Battle of Northampton.
1461 Wars of the Roses in England: Lancastrian King Henry VI is deposed by his Yorkist cousin, who then becomes King Edward IV.
1470 Henry VI of England returns to the English throne after Earl of Warwick defeats the Yorkists in battle.