As national politics became increasingly divided during the 1450s, Oxford did not immediately take sides, although he was a member of the council while the Duke of York was Lord Protector in 1453–54 during Henry VI's period of mental breakdown, and on 28May 1454, together with 6 other peers and his brother, Sir Robert Vere, undertook to keep the seas for three years. In May 1455 he and the Duke of Norfolk both arrived a day too late to take part in the Battle of St Albans.
During the increasingly divided national politics of the 1450s, Oxford did not take sides immediately; however, he was part of the council when the Duke of York served as Lord Protector from 1453 to 1454 during Henry VI's mental breakdown. On May 28, 1454, along with six other peers and his brother Sir Robert Vere, they pledged to keep the seas for three years. In May 1455, he and Duke of Norfolk arrived a day late to participate in the Battle of St Albans.