Did this Document Legitimise the Yorkists Claim to the Throne?

During the two part documentary Matt Lewis forensically dissects one of history’s most notorious kings, King Richard III. In part one he goes to the National Archives where Dr Euan Roger explains how significant it was, and how it could have been the start of civil war.

“The Act of Accord of 1460 was the Yorkist claim to the throne, staking their power and having it enrolled in Parliament’s roll of the time” Roger states.

In the top section Roger shows Matt that they can trace their history right back to Henry III in the 1200s. The document states:

Richard Duke of York shall be entitled, called, and taken from now on as true and rightful heir to the Crown’s royal estate, dignity and lordship. After the death of the said King Henry…

Matt Lewis forensically dissects the legacy of one of histories most notorious Kings, King Richard III.

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Matt and Dr Euan further discuss that it essentially disinherits Henry’s son and effectively makes Richard, Duke of York, the heir to the throne. Analysing the second part of the document, Dr Euan Roger explians that

“As part of this agreement, Richard wouldn’t immediately become king but would succeed Henry upon his death. The act even went so far as to declare it high treason to conspire against Richard or his heirs, solidifying York’s claim in the strongest legal terms.” Word for word, it reads:

If any person or persons scheme or plots the death of the said Duke, that it shall be deemed an heir, judged High treason.

The Act of Accord from The Real Richard III

Image Credit: History Hit/National Archives

For Margaret of Anjou, Henry V’s wife, this was completely unacceptable, and to her was a personal attack on her family. Dr Euan explains to Matt,

“The Act of Accord comes at a time of real tumultuous back and forth between two powerful houses. After this period of conflict, Richard, Duke of York, is formally placed into the line of royal succession. This is now legally binding, entered into the parliament roll. However, this inheritance of the throne from Henry VI and his dynasty is, unsurprisingly, not without its opponents. Henry’s wife, Margaret of Anjou, would never accept this, as it wipes out all the plans they had as a couple, and with their son. Realistically, she could never accept this document.”

To find out the consequences of the document and the rest of the series, The Real Richard III with Matt Lewis, you can sign up below:

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