144
Constitutional History.
[chap.
Character of tried first the great experiment of self-government with any
tratɪoɪɪ. approach to success ; that he was merciful in his political
enmities, enlightened in his foreign policy; that he was
devotedly faithful and ready to sacrifice his wealth and labour
for the king ; that from the moment of his death everything
began to go wrong and went worse and worse until all was
lost1. If this result seems to involve a condemnation of his
policy, it only serves to enhance the greatness of his powers and
fidelity. But his policy, so far as it was a policy of peace and
reconciliation, is not condemned by the result. It was not the
peace, but the reopening of the strife that led directly to ruin.
It is probable that he foresaw some part of the mischief that
followed ; certainly the words on his tomb, ‘ tribularer si
Iiescirem Inisericordias Tuas2,' may be read as expressing a
feeling that, humanly speaking, there was little hope for his
country under Henry VI.
Snffoik ieft The death of Gloucester, followed so closely by the death of
ter. the cardinal, left Suffolk, the queen’s minister, without a rival;
Edmund Beaufort was ordered to undertake the lieutenancy in
France and Normandy, thereby increasing the jealousy between
him and York3 ; and under their joint misfortune and mis-
management all that remained to England in France, save Calais,
was lost.
344. Suffolk was an old and experienced soldier, and, if it
were not for the cloud that rests on him in relation to
1 There are among the ordinances of the privy council some good illustra-
tions of Beaufort’s character. On one occasion it was proposed to appro-
priate for the payment of debt some fund that was already assigned to
a similar purpose ; the whole council approved, but the cardinal protested
against the deception ; t so by this mean no man hereafter should trust
none assignment, whereto he wol in no wyse consent.’ The treasurer
agreed with the cardinal ; Ordinances, v. 216.
'2 Godwin de Praesulibus, p. 232.
3 The duke of York had left Normandy in the autumn of 1445, and the
country was governed by commissioners appointed during his absence,
until 1447. According to AVhethamstede (i. 160) Henry had reappointed
him for five years more, but had at Somerset’s instigation cancelled the
nomination. In July, 1447, York was appointed lieutenant of Ireland
(Ware, &c. i. 478), but he still retained the title of lieutenant-governor of
France in November, 1447. In December, 1447, it had been determined to
appoint Edmund Beaufort, and he was acting as full lieutenant in May,
1448. See Appendix D to Foedera, pp. 509-538 ; Ordin. vi. 90.
xvπι.] Surrender of Maine and, Anjou. τ45
Gloucester’s death, might seem entitled to the praise of being a His policy
patriotic and sensible politician. The grandson of the minister ° peacθ'
of Bichard II, born in 13961, he had been since 14312 a
member of the royal council ; by his marriage he was connected
with the Beauforts ; Iiis wife was Alice, widow of the earl of
Salisbury and daughter of Thomas Chaucer of Ewelme1 whose
mother was sister to Katharine Swinford. The policy of peace
which Beaufort had nursed, had been carried into effect by him ;
and it was pursued by him when he became the most powerful
man at court. It was a bold policy, for it was sure in the long
run to ruin its supporter even in the estimation of the class
which was to gain most by the result. Suffolk saw that surrender
England could not retain her hold on France, and he tried, by andʌnjlu.
surrendering a part of the conquest to maintain possession of
Normandy and Guienne. He knew well how dangerous a part Poiicyand
he had undertaken, and openly warned the council of the results tιXu°ren-
which really followed. He had promised, probably by word of der'
mouth, that, on the completion of the marriage scheme, the
remaining places which the English held in Maine and Anjou
should be surrendered to king René. If by such a sacrifice
peace could be obtained it would be cheaply purchased ; and
it might be, for Charles VII had more than once offered terms
that would leave Henry in possession of more than he now
retained. But affairs had materially changed ; Charles was
gaining strength, England was more and more feeling her
exhaustion. Anjou and Maine were now the keys of Nor-
mandy, no longer the gate by which England could march on
France. The project of peace languished, the surrender of
Maine was urged more imperiously. The cessation of warfare
was maintained only by renewal of short truces, until in March
1448 3 the coveted province was actually given up, and then
a truce for only two years was granted. The high spirit of
Edmund Beaufort chafed against the delays and irritations of
diplomacy, and unfortunately his strength, whether of mind
ɪ Dugd. Bar. p. 186. 2 Ordin. iv. 108.
3 The negotiations may be traced in the collections of William of
Worcester, published by Stevenson, Wars in France, vol. ii. pp. [634] seɪ.
The final surrender took place March ɪɪ ; Eymer, xi. 210, 214.
VOL. III. L