Introduction

Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461, and again from 1470 to 1471, the last king of the Lancastrian dynasty. He is the youngest monarch England has ever had, and has been described as weak-willed, easily led, timid and averse to warfare, character traits not popular in a king in the 15th century. 

He is chiefly remembered for his apparent failures – the loss of Normandy, his illness, reliance on others and ultimately the devastating civil war which followed. However, he was also gentle, devout and kindly, and left behind a legacy of educational foundations and cultural patronage. On his death, he was treated as a saint and martyr.  

A catalogue for the physical exhibition marking the 600th anniversary of the birth of Henry VI can be downloaded, here.