Birth of Humphrey: his parents—The change of dynasty—The Order of the Bath—Plot to kill Henry IV. and his sons—Humphrey made a Knight of the Garter—Visit to Abbey of Bardney—Accession of Henry V.—Humphrey created Earl of Pembroke and Duke of Gloucester—Negotiations between England and France—Preparations for war—The Southampton Conspiracy: its warning—Gloucester’s retinue in the 1415 campaign—The siege of Harfleur—March from Harfleur to Agincourt—The battle of Agincourt—The King’s return to England,
Various phases of Gloucester’s career—The Emperor Sigismund’s visit to England: reception by Gloucester—The Treaty of Canterbury—Gloucester hostage at St. Omer for the safety of the Duke of Burgundy visiting Henry V. at Calais—Gloucester and Sigismund: a contrast in characters—Renewal of the war—The siege of Caen—Gloucester’s military qualities—The sieges of AlenÇon and Falaise—Gloucester despatched to subdue the CÔtentin—The CÔtentin expedition—The siege of Cherbourg—Gloucester joins Henry V. at the siege of Rouen—Gloucester’s negotiations for a wife—Further military undertakings: the capture of Ivry—Gloucester returns to England,
Gloucester Regent of England: terms of his commission—State of the country at this time; the rise of the Middle Classes and their support of Gloucester—The King of Scotland and Gloucester—The Treaty of Troyes proclaimed in England—Influence of this treaty on Gloucester’s policy—Restlessness of Parliament—The return of Henry V. to England—Coronation of Queen Catharine—The misfortunes of Jacqueline of Hainault: her arrival in England and meeting with Gloucester—Henry V.’s policy with regard to Jacqueline—Third French campaign—The siege of Dreux—Gloucester’s second Regency of England—Death of Henry V.: his wishes for the government of his kingdoms—Claimants for the Protectorate: Henry Beaufort, Bedford, and Gloucester: their qualifications—Opposition to Gloucester’s claims: his removal from the Regency—Appointment to the Protectorate: the limitations placed on Gloucester’s power and their effect—Alliance between Gloucester and Bedford and its significance—Dissensions in the Regency Council—Execution of Sir John Mortimer and death of the Earl of March,
Jacqueline’s treatment in England—Her marriage to Gloucester—Visit of Gloucester and Jacqueline to St. Albans—Burgundy objects to Gloucester’s pretensions to govern Hainault—Attempted arbitration between Gloucester and Burgundy—Gloucester’s claim—His departure with Jacqueline for Hainault—Renewed attempts at arbitration—March from Calais to Hainault—Reception in Hainault: attitude of Mons—The Estates of Hainault accept Gloucester as Regent—Complaints of the behaviour of the English soldiers—Papal procrastination in deciding Jacqueline’s divorce appeal—Burgundy prepares for armed interference—Siege of Braine-le-Comte—Gloucester’s inactivity—Correspondence of Gloucester and Burgundy who agree to a duel—Increased hostility to Gloucester in Hainault—Gloucester returns to England—The motive and wisdom of his Hainault policy,
Gloucester’s reception in England: attitude of the Council—Jacqueline loses ground in Hainault—The duel between Gloucester and Burgundy forbidden—Gloucester loses interest in Hainault affairs: failure of an expedition to relieve Jacqueline—The quarrel between Gloucester and Beaufort: Beaufort summons Bedford to England—Gloucester’s position before and after Bedford’s return—Council of St. Albans—Parliament of Leicester: Gloucester’s attack on Beaufort: the decision of the Lords—The Council asserts its rights: its communication to Gloucester—Results of Bedford’s intervention—Gloucester suppresses lawlessness—Jacqueline seeks assistance: money voted by the Council for her relief—Abandonment of the contemplated expedition—Public feeling hostile to Gloucester—The Pope refuses the divorce—Gloucester marries Eleanor Cobham—Disturbances in the Midlands—Beaufort attacked for accepting the Cardinalate—Coronation of Henry VI.,
The end of the Protectorate—The Forty Shilling Franchise—Gloucester made Regent—Henry VI. goes to France—Parliament of 1431—The rising of ‘Jack Sharpe’: its significance—Gloucester seeks more power: intrigues against Beaufort—Increase of the Regent’s salary—Results of the Regency—Ministerial changes—Beaufort returns to the attack: brings forward grievances against the Government—Lord Cromwell and Gloucester—Gloucester goes to Calais to negotiate peace—Bedford comes to England—More ministerial changes—Bedford petitioned to remain in England: the conditions on which he agrees to do so—Gloucester propounds a scheme for carrying on the war—Quarrel of Gloucester and Bedford—Death of Bedford—Defection of Burgundy from the English alliance—Gloucester appointed Lieutenant of Calais: he relieves it when besieged by Burgundy—Gloucester’s raid into Flanders,
Gloucester’s waning interest in political life: his appearance as a patron of letters—Negotiations for peace with France: Gloucester’s opposition; his manifesto against Beaufort and Cardinal Kemp: his manifesto against the release of the Duke of Orleans, and the King’s reply—Gloucester’s declining importance—Trial and imprisonment of the Duchess of Gloucester for sorcery and treason—Consequent loss of influence to Gloucester—The marriage of Henry VI. to Margaret of Anjou—Gloucester’s war policy—Triumph of the Beaufort faction—
