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.
Created to celebrate the 600th anniversary of his birth at Windsor in December 1421, an exhibition held in Eton’s Verey Gallery from DATE to DATE sought to explore Henry’s life and his achievements, with a focus on what has been described as one of the only good things to come out of his reign – the foundation of Eton College. A catalogue for that exhibition can be downloaded, here.
This online exhibition has been adapted from the physical one and features a different selection of objects.
Portrait of Henry VI, King of England, 1422-61 and 1470-71.
Eton College FDA Collection, FDA-P.40-2010.
