The Anglo-French truce arranged by William de…

The Anglo-French truce arranged by William de la Pole has brought him to the peak of his influence.

With the deaths in 1447 of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester and Cardinal Beaufort, Suffolk had become the principal power behind the throne of the weak and compliant Henry VI.

In short order he had been appointed Chamberlain, Admiral of England, and to several other important offices.

He was created Earl of Pembroke in 1447 and in 1448 he had been made first duke of Suffolk.

However, Suffolk is later suspected of being a traitor.

He meets in secret on July 16 with Jean, the Bastard of Orleans, and comte de Dunois at his mansion of the Rose in Candlewick street.

The first of several meetings in London, they plan a French invasion.

Suffolk passes Council minutes to Dunois, the French hero of the siege of 1429 at Orleans.

It is rumored that Suffolk never paid his ransom of twenty thousand pounds owed to Dunois.

Lord Treasurer Ralph Cromwell wants heavy taxes from Suffolk; the duke's powerful enemies include the Pastons and Sir John Fastolf.

Many blame Suffolk's retainers for lawlessness in East Anglia.