EthicalMUN IV

The War of The Roses

Chairs: Izzy Ramos and Morium Begum

Crisis Directors: Kevin He and Caroline Madsen

EthicalMUN IV

Dear Delegates,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the fourth Ethical Model United Nations Conference (EthicalMUN IV) as members of the War of the Roses committee! My name is Morium Begum, and I will serve as the co-chair of the committee alongside Julie Johnson my hardworking and dedicated friend, Isabella (Izzy) Ramos. As your chairs, Izzy Co-Secretary General and I have been working hard with our crisis directors, Kevin He and Caroline Mad, to make this conference the best yet. We are all excited for a fun-filled conference Olivia Pollack with lots of great debate, jokes, and laughs! Co-Secretary General Currently, I am a junior, but I started Model UN in 7th grade and have loved it ever since. Model UN has helped me develop many crucial life skills, such as Aleksi Sefanov speaking in front of a large group of people and arguing in favor of things I do not Chief of Staff necessarily believe in. Last year, I was a part of the crisis team for a committee and enjoyed coming up with various problems to make your lives harder. This is my first Ben Greer time being a chair for a committee and I’m really excited. Aside from Model UN, I Chief of Staff enjoy partaking in various racial affinity spaces, such as the Asian affinity group, the Women of Color Coalition, and more. When I’m not at school or working, I’m most Brian Phillips likely reading Webtoons, listening and dancing to trashy music or just hanging out with my friends. (I will probably play one of my trashy songs at least once during Under Secretary- this conference so be ready to bop along. Or else.) General of Committees Izzy, Kevin, Caroline, and I are all really excited about EthicalMUN IV and

we are sure this committee will be a blast! This crisis committee will encourage you, Sara Snyder the delegates, to get in touch with your creative sides as you tackle the barriers of Under Secretary- convention in order to find solutions to the dynastic struggle in 15th century General of Committees England. In order to prepare for your position on one of the War of the Roses councils, I urge you all to not only read the background guide in its entirety but also Gavin Kelly to delve further into research on the topics. Overall, I want this to be a fun, Chief Crisis Director rewarding experience, and if you all come prepared and speak up in committee, I’m sure it will be an exciting day. Until then, delegates, read up: the fate of England’s Thomas Vernarde future rests on your shoulders. Chief Crisis Director See you in May! Amani Creamer Director of Outreach Best, Morium Begum [email protected]

The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

Committee Procedure minute moderated caucus passes, the Like most crisis committees, perpetual moderated caucus will be the parliamentary procedure will be suspended, and the committee will slightly different from General enter the five-minute moderated Assemblies and Specialized caucus. If there are no points or Committees. The parliamentary motions on the floor, the chair will procedure used in this committee is revert to the perpetual moderated optimized for the relatively few caucus.

people in our committee and the quick Relevant Points and Motions: responses needed for crises. • Point of Inquiry

• Point of Information Perpetual Moderated Caucus: • Point of Personal Privilege Unlike GA or Specialized • Point of Order Committees, Crisis Committees will • Motion to Open Debate not have a speakers list, and will • Motion for a Moderated operate under a perpetual moderated Caucus caucus. A perpetual moderated caucus • Motion for an Unmoderated is a never-ending moderated caucus Caucus that runs for the entirety of the • Motion for a Round Table committee with no set topic. For this • Motion to Introduce All Papers committee, the perpetual moderated on the Dais caucus will have a 30 second • Motion to Introduce an speaking time. This perpetual Amendment moderated caucus will be suspended • Motion to divide the Question when a delegate proposes a motion. • Motion to Enter Voting For example, if a motion for a five- Procedure

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

• Motion to Adjourn Debate inform or misinform the public according to the desires of the

Written Papers committee. They will have the same Crisis Notes: Crisis notes are notes sponsor and signatory rules as used to take personal action from a directives. delegate, without the need for committee approval. A character's Like all committees, collaborating portfolio powers, therefore, binds with other delegates is strongly crisis notes. Please ensure to sign your recommended. However, in a crisis character’s name at the end of your committee, it is also encouraged that crisis note and address it to CRISIS one stays in character and acts in on the front of your folded note. accordance with their character’s motivations. Directives: Like general assemblies and specialized committees, crisis Procedure Specific to this committees have documents that take Committee committee action concerning the Flow of debate will be issues at hand. In crisis committees, conducted in a manner as similar as this document is called a directive. possible to the functioning of the The number of sponsors and historical Royal Councils of Lancaster signatories required on directives will and York. This entails moderated depend on the size of the committee. caucuses and speaker’s lists, and may

be punctuated by periods of open

Press Releases: Press releases are debate, depending on the situation at committee documents addressed to hand. In the role of the leaders of the the public. They can be used to two houses, we will be chairing the

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

committee in true Royal Council delegates may interject their own style. For the purposes of fruitful opinions into debate and, when debate, however, we will keep our appropriate, change their mind on input as a member to a minimum. As topics of discussion to suit the mentioned before, voting requires that purposes of the situation at hand. a simple majority is present in the Note, however, that while creativity is room, and all legislation will be promoted, inconsistency is not. Be passed on a simple majority as well. sure that you can defend and justify PLEASE NOTE the simple majority your views, and argue accordingly for required to vote on a York Resolution the achieving of your goals, at all is only referring to the delegates on times. The War of the Roses is a crisis the side of the house of York. committee, so come prepared to deal Members of the councils will with anything that is thrown your pass documents primarily in the form way. In addition to the provided of directives, communiqués, and press material, debate will be directed based releases. Additionally, while delegates on the arrival of crises. Crises may will be expected to stay in character come in the form of press releases by and represent the general viewpoints key figures, prisoners being brought and interests of their assigned Council in for questioning, or any number of member and their respective house, surprise events. After the crisis has they will not be limited to only these been presented, debate will resume on views. For instance, a delegate may the new developments. vote in favor of something that their Council member was against in the past if delegates find they are swayed by the course of debate to a different conclusion or viewpoint. Also,

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

Historical Background claims to the throne of England The Plantagenet Dynasty of formed the basis of the War of the England began with the accession of Roses. England’s gradual defeat in the King Henry II to the throne in 1154 Hundred Years’ War destabilized the CE with sovereignty over both realm and undermined the authority of England and Normandy in northern the English monarchy. Over a century France. Henry II’s marriage to of war, England lost all of its French Eleanor of Aquitaine added large territories with the exception of portions of southern France to the Calais. English nobles who had lost English crown. When King Charles their French 6 holdings bore a IV of France died in 1328 without a staggering economic cost and felt male heir, Plantagenet King Edward robbed of influence in a sociopolitical III laid claim to the French throne, system based entirely on feudal igniting the famous Hundred Years’ holdings. Furthermore, the weak and War between England and France. easily influenced Henry VI proved to John of Gaunt, the 1st Duke of be a disappointment compared to his Lancaster and Edward III’s third son, predecessor Henry V, who was a war- became the founding member of the time hero and renowned for his House of Lancaster, from which chivalry. Henry VI’s overt favoritism future Kings Henry IV, Henry V, and of Edmund Beaufort, the 2nd Duke of Henry VI would come. On the other Somerset, in spite of overwhelming hand, Edmund of Langley, the 1st opposition to Somerset alienated Duke of York and Edward III’s fourth Henry VI from his nobles. In 1453, son, founded the House of York. Henry VI became mentally incapacitated, and Richard, the 3rd While both Houses belonged to the Duke of York, was appointed as Lord Plantagenet dynasty, competing Protector. The Duke of York was a

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

strong and popular leader with a class and the growing influence of legitimate claim to the throne that was towns and cities in England, the only contested by Henry VI’s son, dominant segment of society lies with Edward of Westminster. Having the landed nobility. These aristocrats previously marched on London have sworn oaths of vassalage and demanding Somerset’s removal from promised to provide military levies to court, the new Lord Protector had the King of England in exchange for a Somerset imprisoned and arrested. feudal domain. Nobles ranged from When Henry VI regained his sanity, knights, who generally owned small the Duke of Somerset was restored to manors and their surrounding lands, power while the Duke of York and his to the powerful earls and dukes, who supporters were ejected by the Queen, could own large segments of the Margaret of Anjou. The Duke of country and have their own vassals. In York, fearing arrest for treason, this type of system, each noble gathered an armed force of around generally trained, equipped, and 3,000 soldiers and marched on commanded his own troops in battle. London. King Henry VI and Somerset The loyalty of the nobility was responded by raising a Lancastrian therefore critical in deciding the force of 2,000 soldiers to meet the outcome of power struggles and Yorkists. The two armies met at the armed conflicts. Some lords took their city of St. Alban’s in Hertfordshire, feudal oaths very seriously and on May 22, 1455. loyally answered the calls of their liege. Other lords were less The Feudal System committed and some frequently While increased trade with changed sides in conflicts, bringing continental Europe and the Black with them their lands and soldiers to Death has seen the rise of a middle opposing factions. These shifts in 5

The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

allegiance are critical in deciding the its independence from England over a outcome of a conflict. As you begin to century before, looks at neglected fight the War of the Roses, it will be English lands with interest. The important to keep in mind where your Duchy of Burgundy remains strong loyalties and interests lie. supporters of the Yorkists. Furthermore, the most powerful Mercenaries throughout the whole of nobles, including the King, have the Europe are looking for the power to create titles of peerage and opportunity to amass loot and plunder dispense lands to lesser nobles in from the conflict. Public Dissent The exchange for fealty. Similarly, costs and burdens of over a century of Parliament can, at the behest of the warfare with France was particularly King and his closest advisers, issue damaging to the livelihood of the acts of attainder, which strip nobles of commoners in England. While the their titles and lands. landed nobility held the most power in medieval English society, there are Foreign Powers times when commoners rose up in Having just lost the Hundred open rebellion due to economic Years’ War, England is now struggles, dissatisfaction with the embroiled in the civil war between the King and his administration, and other Houses of Lancaster and York. Yet it such grievances. In 1450, a commoner is important to remember that the rest named Jack Cade led a popular revolt of Europe, especially France, is from Kent and marched on London, keenly watching this conflict. Calais citing corruption and abuses of power remains in English hands, the last part by the King’s top advisers. After of England’s once extensive entering London, violence from the territories in France. To the north, the rebels compelled Londoners to push Kingdom of Scotland, having ensured the rebels out, after which they were 6

The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

hunted and arrested by royal forces Lancasters and Yorkists have yet to until a royal pardon was granted, publicly reveal their allegiances. This effectively ending the rebellion. The uneasy peace will not hold for long, incident exposed the weaknesses of however, and when turmoil breaks out the Lancastrian administration and surrounding the line of succession, strengthened the resolve of the both Houses must plan their next Yorkists to resort to military force moves to decide the fate of Albion. five years later. Questions to Consider Current Crisis 1. What is your one true motive We begin in May of 1455, in and how can you achieve it? the weeks leading up to the First 2. What is the fastest way to get Battle of St. Albans. Richard what your delegation wants? Plantagenet, Duke of York has 3. Do you want to make an recently stepped down from his alliance? position as the Lord Protector, which 4. Who can help you get where he held for ten months while King you want to be? Henry VI struggled to overcome a 5. How much is your delegation bout of mental illness. The members willing to risk? of the House of Plantagenet have 6. What can you do with the gathered in the Great Hall of resources you have? Bamburgh Castle for a banquet 7. How could the action you take celebrating the restored health of be affected by arising crises? Henry VI. The honored guests How could your plan fall apart converse among themselves. The with new developments? atmosphere is tense, but the

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

Delegate Views Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick House of York Warwick, as commander of the army Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of of York, is a strict York soldier, York however, he is a social pragmatic who SONS: Edmund Plantagenet, George solely desires the throne of England Plantagenet or a high-ranking advisor post. He has Richard is the lord of the house of the ability to forge and create large York, and the former Lord Protector military orders of his own 700 men of England. He has the power to rally and even those of the York forces, the troops of the house of York, and with the permission of the leader of despite only having 200 loyalist the house of York, Richard soldiers he is the only member of the Plantagenet. house of York who can do so.

Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York March As the Duchess of York and the wife Edward is the heir to York and with of Richard, Cecily has the unique this is in a phase of training in his life, power to send out official messages he only leads 150 men, and does not on behalf of her reign, her husband have any current portfolio powers, but and her house. She has no military in the untimely event of his father’s capabilities and has five bodyguards death he will take up his post and the assigned to defend her. power that goes along with it.

However, if Richard deems that

Edward deserves more power and

responsibility as the rightful future

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

king, more men and more power can his inheritance in the event of his be given. father's death.

John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of John Neville, 1st Lord Montague Suffolk John Neville controls 80 of his John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk father's men (Warwick) and along is a powerful yet poorer duke. His with his brother is in contention to get income is less than £280 per annum, married and begin a strong life of his which is less than the required for own. Additionally, John Neville has a duke. However, he has a significant personal and familial rivalry with the military strength with 600 men. He is house of Percy and will stop at loyal to York, however his money nothing to see their house die out, and troubles coupled with a failure to pay their grain go rotten. the entire dowry leads to a potential for backstabbing in the Duke of John de Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Suffolk... Norfolk SON: John de Mowbray Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Bitter rival of William de la Pole, Earl Salisbury of Suffolk, John de Mowbray is in the SONS: George Neville, Thomas command of 500 men. He also has a Neville vast military background in terms of Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury his employment in the hundred years son of the great Warwick has a legion war thus leading to his being high on of 100 of his father’s men under his the command chain of the York command. Additionally, as the eldest military. son, he wishes to get married to a noblewoman and be able to command

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The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

Sir William Oldhall House of Lancaster Sir William Oldhall is the former Margaret of Anjou, Queen of chamberlain of Richard of York, the England former Speaker of the House of Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England Commons. He has the power to advise is basically the leader of the house of York, and as a strong force in the Lancaster, and the current Queen. She Parliament has many connections in has the power to rally the troops of the heart of England. In the event of a the house of Lancaster, and despite land invasion in any major city/castle, only having 200 loyalist soldiers she William Oldhall can call in favors to is the only member of the house of receive blueprints and even have a Lancaster who can do so. loyalist open the gates for incoming armies. Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales Henry Bourchier, 1st Viscount Edward is the infant heir apparent of Bourchier, Duke of Essex the English throne, currently he is a Henry Bourchier served a post as tender age of 2 but in his coming Lord High Treasurer, with this post years he has the ability to “Come of and his dukedom, Henry has an above age” and enter the battlefield and the average income of 500 crowns and court as a force to be reckoned with. has the ability to sequester large Note: Despite the age of Edward amounts of funds at will by being a mere 2, the delegate liquidating assets and calling in representing him will have complete favors. Additionally, he commands duties at court in the form of speaking 400 men. and voting, this is not necessarily historically accurate however it would be unfair if they could not. As son of 10

The War of the Roses EthicalMUN IV Crisis

the king he can “Call the King” into However, currently, he is loyal to court for discussion and questions, Henry VI against the Yorkists. He only he can ask the questions but all commands 500 men and is one of the other members of the court will be few Lancasters with a solid reason for present. the potential of treason.

Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Somerset Northumberland SONS: Henry Beaufort, Edmund SONS: Henry Percy, Ralph Percy, Beaufort William Percy (Bishop of Carlisle) Although he was the head of one of The Warden of the East Marsh’s the greatest families in England, his calling in life is defending the inheritance was worth only 300 Scottish Border from invasion, he is pounds. By contrast his rival, Richard, very loyal to his king, but any action Duke of York, had a net worth of of diplomacy of allyship to the Scots 5,800 pounds. His cousin King Henry could drive him and his army of 400 VI's efforts to compensate Somerset men away. with offices worth 3,000 pounds only served to offend many of the nobles Thomas Percy, 1st Baron and as his quarrel with York grew Egremont more personal. This strong supporter Warlord and hater of the house of of the house Lancaster has 600 men at Neville, Thomas Percy is determined his command. to quell the York force with his power of 600 men. Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter In 1447 he married Anne, the eight- year-old daughter of Richard of York.

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Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of support for the King and Queen Canterbury backed up by 500 men. Bourchier was the son of William Bourchier, made Count of Eu in 1419, Edmund Tudor, 1st Earl of and Anne, a granddaughter of King Richmond Edward III. Bourchier was bishop of Born to Owen Tudor and the dowager Worcester (1435–43) and of Ely queen Catherine of Valois, Edmund (1443–54). Because he won was half-brother to Henry VI of acceptance from both the feuding England. Edmund was raised for Yorkist and Lancastrian parties, he several years by Katherine de la Pole, was elected archbishop of Canterbury and Henry took an interest in in 1454. Because of his contrasting Edmund's upbringing, granting him a support he could flip flop to the title and lands once he came of age. Yorkist side. His portfolio power is He is in charge of 100 of his father's the ability to make press releases on men, and the heir to the titles and behalf of the church of England and to lands of his father. excommunicate those who are weak in their faith. Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham SONS: Humphrey Sir Owen Tudor SON: Jasper Stafford, Henry Stafford, Edward Tudor Stafford, George Stafford, William Born of one of the most powerful Stafford, John Stafford families in England Tudor has a As a counselor to the new king, and strong reputation at court and a military commander to the last, penchant for settling his problems on Humphrey Stafford sits in the ear of the battlefield. This Lord has a strong the Throne and is benefited by the current state of affairs. He commands

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400 men, and will stop at nothing to hold on to his current power

Bibliography "Causes of the Wars of the Roses: An Overview." The Luminarium Encyclopedia Project. http://www.luminarium.org/enc yclopedia/roseswarcauses.htm (accessed December 20, 2019).

Shepherd, William R. The Historical Atlas. Ninth Ed. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1964. "Wars of the Roses." WarsOfTheRoses.com. Web. http://www.warsoftheroses.com / (accessed December 20, 2019).

Weir, Alison. The Wars of the Roses. New York: Ballantine, 1996. Print.

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