Edward IV
-Chrissie

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            Edward IV was the oldest surviving son of Richard, Duke of York. He had supported his father in his bid for the throne against the Lancastrian king, Henry VI. Edward inherited that claim alongside his father’s title at the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460. After winning a few more battles against Lancastrian forces, he made his claim to Parliament in March 1461. He argued first, as his father had, that the claim of the York branch of the family was more legitimate than that of the Lancastrian due to the Yorks tracing themselves to the second, rather than third, son of Edward III. But this was no longer the only reason provided: Edward argued that the recent conflicts in England were a direct result of Henry’s inability to rule. After some deliberation, Parliament agreed. Henry was removed from the throne on 4 March 1461 and Edward, Duke of York, became Edward IV.

            His first years on the throne were spent subduing rebellions, with his cousin, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, as his most trusted general. He was also one of his closest advisors, acting as his proxy in political negotiations around England and with France. He lost influence, however, after the king made a politically useless marriage, in opposition to plans being made by Warwick.

            That marriage was to Elizabeth Woodville, the widow of a low-level noble who had died fighting for the Lancastrians. She had also been a Lady-in-Waiting to Margaret of Anjou. Edward ignored these potential problems, apparently having fallen head-over-heels in love or, as many of the sources claim, in lust. Some accounts say he sought her as a mistress, but she refused, even going so far as threatening to kill herself should he force himself on her. Warwick even went so far as to accuse Elizabeth’s mother, Jaquetta, of bewitching the king in order to secure the marriage for her daughter. Edward was well aware that he lost a great deal more than he gained with the marriage, a fact evidenced by the secrecy under which it took place. They were married at the end of April 1464, but it was not made public until 14 September, when Edward was forced to do so in the face of a betrothal arranged by Warwick. He had spent a great deal of time negotiating with French King Louis XI’s for a marriage alliance and one had been finally arranged with Louis’ sister-in-law, Bona of Savoy.  There seemed to be few, if any, of the English nobility who were even moderately happy with Edward’s choice. Even commoners deemed it inappropriate. The opportunity for a foreign alliance through marriage was lost. The Yorkists, in particular, were livid at the idea that Edward had married a woman whose family had been Lancastrian supporters. Their concerns grew as Edward filled positions in the government and royal household with members of his wife’s family. Within a few years, their power rivaled that of Edward’s former favorites, the Nevilles, the family of the Duke of Warwick.

            Despite the lost opportunity for a marriage connection, Warwick still believed an alliance to France would be advantageous for England. Edward, however, sought an alliance with Burgundy, who was, at that time, an enemy of France. Warwick stayed in close communication with Louis XI, hoping to convince Edward to his way of thinking. The two also had further conflict over familial marriages: the King refused to authorize a marriage between his brother George, Duke of Clarence, with Warwick’s daughter, Isabel. This brought Warwick and Clarence closer together while at the same time increased their opposition to Edward. Clarence married Isabel, without his brother’s permission, in 1469 and joined Warwick in a rebellion against Edward in March of the next year. Their efforts were quickly put down, forcing them to flee to France, where Louis arranged for a meeting with Margaret of Anjou. Warwick and Clarence moved to the Lancastrian side, now supporting the overthrow of Edward.

            Warwick landed in England with a largely French army on 9 September 1470, with the intention of restoring Henry, who had been held in the Tower since 1462. The people supported the returning Lancastrians, allowing their dislike of Edward to override their concerns about Henry’s incapacity. Edward IV and his family took refuge in Flanders, where they were hosted by his brother-in-law, the Duke of Burgundy, and made plans to retake the throne.

            In March 1471, Edward returned to England with a small force, but collected supporters as he moved toward London. Along the way, he fought Lancastrians forces under Warwick at Barnet on 14 April. Warwick was killed in the battle. He fought at Tewksbury on 4 May against an army led by Margaret and the 16-year-old deposed prince, Edward of Westminster. Margaret was captured and her son killed in that battle. Edward entered London on 21 May 1471. Henry VI was returned to the Tower and died shortly thereafter, likely killed on Edward IV’s orders. The king’s brother, George, Duke of Clarence, was allowed to live, for a time, until his participation in another rebellion in 1474 led to his execution.

            The remaining years of Edward’s reign were relatively quiet. He and Elizabeth produced six more children, including his successor, also named Edward. The king started to fall ill in 1482, dying on 9 April 1483. He was succeeded by the twelve-year-old Edward V, whose regency was placed in the hands of his uncle, Richard of York.