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.
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 served as Lord Protector in 1453–54 during Henry VI's period of mental breakdown, and on May 28, 1454, together with six other peers and his brother, Sir Robert Vere, pledged to keep the seas for three years. In May 1455 he and Duke of Norfolk both arrived a day too late to participate in the Battle of St Albans.