Henry VI comes of age in 1437 and begins to actively rule as king.

In an attempt to forge peace, he marries a French noblewoman, Margaret of Anjou, in 1445, as provided in the Treaty of Tours.

Hostilities resume with France in 1449.

When England loses the Hundred Years' War in August 1453, Henry falls into a period of mental breakdown that lasts until Christmas 1454.

With his inability to control the feuding nobles, civil war begins in 1455.

The conflicts are known as the Wars of the Roses (1455–1485), and although the fighting was very sporadic and small, there is a general breakdown in the authority and power of the Crown.

The royal court and Parliament move to Coventry, in the Lancastrian heartlands, which effectively becomes the capital of England until 1461.

Henry's cousin, who deposes Henry in 1461 and becomes Edward IV, goes a little way to restoring the power of the Crown.

Edward defeats the Lancastrians at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross.

He is briefly expelled from the throne in 1470–1471 when Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, brings Henry back to power.

Six months later, Edward defeats and kills Warwick in battle and reclaims the throne.

Henry is imprisoned in the Tower of London and dies there.