CHAPTER VI

GLOUCESTER AS FIRST COUNCILLOR

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, 216-254