In my story I have a Gaelic loyalists in the Lordship of the Isles fighting against invaders from Scotland, and I've decided that in that position he may have, if he was real, appealed to Scotland's neighbour, England, for help. But I don't know much about English history, and I definately don't know enough about the personality of the reigning English monarch at the time (Henry VI) to decide whether or not he'd have agreed to send military assistance on the following terms: If he accepts: - Trade goods from across Europe, via the Lordship of the Isles - The promise of support from the Gael if the English later decide to invade Scotland - A promise from him that he'd not invade Ireland north of Dublin If he refuses: - A redoubled effort by the Lordship of the Isles to assist the Irish kingdoms in fighting the English - Raids along the western coast of England and Wales - The 'desecration and forced abandonment of Cumbria and Anglesey' - Assistance against him if he invades Scotland
The nearest library to me is in Stornoway. I doubt they'll have books on English kings there, but I'll check. Thanks for the tip.
The internet always helps too. I'm sure you can find some legitimate web sites on English kings that can give you a clue as to how Henry VI would react to such situations. In regards to what I know about Henry VI, I don't know very much. I know one of the Henrys - I think the sixth - was not a very effective king at all. It was also he who could be considered to blame for the change in the royal family for Lancaster to York (I think it was Lancaster to York). But that's about all I know. And that Shakespeare wrote multiple plays about Henry VI.
google is your best friend! and if you use wiki, keep in mind that the info is not vetted and can be submitted by less than authoritative sources, so always double/triple check what you find there before using it as 'gospel'...
That would be valid if so many members didn't take it on faith that Wikipedia is a solid primary reference source.
