Edward IV

1461 - 1483

aka The Rose of Rouen

Edward, Earl of March, cut an imposing figure at 6ft 3 inches. He was generally regarded as handsome, strong, intelligent and ruthless. He was considered an able ruler, restoring prosperity to England and taking an interest in the legal system. Everyone agreed that he enjoyed all the pleasures of court life including eating, drinking and pursuing romances. His admirers referred to his pleasant demeanour and ability to make everybody feel relaxed in his company. However, Edward’s detractors also described him as vain, drunken, extravagant and frivolous. He reigned over a fairly peaceful time in English history, although the Wars of the Roses cost many lives.

Edward’s father was Richard, Duke of York, a descendant of Edward III. While Henry VI was king, Richard could not tolerate watching England being badly managed by a pious, weak king with a regency of self-serving noblemen. Richard’s claim to the throne was at least as legitimate as Henry’s. This uncertainty about who should rule England ushered in the Wars of the Roses which commenced in July,1455 with the first Battle of St Albans. In July 1460, Richard made a bold move by capturing Henry VI at the battle of Northampton and insisting he be made heir to the throne. When he was killed a few months later by Henry’s wife, Edward took swift action to avenge his father‘s humiliating end. His victory at Mortimers Cross on 2nd February, 1461, lead to his triumphant journey into London with the Earl of Warwick at his side. He declared himself King Edward IV on 4th March, 1461, to popular acclaim. Edward put the seal on his claim to the crown with a famously bloody battle at Towton, in the north of England. During snowy conditions, 28,000 soldiers lost their lives. One account vividly describes the blood-stained snow covering a distance of six miles.

When Edward took Henry VI’s crown in 1461, he was still only a teenager. He continued to rule for the next decade while Henry VI, whom he deposed, lived in exile and then captivity from 1464. Edward’s main ally was Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, a very powerful and influential nobleman. His support of Edward’s campaign earned him the title ‘Kingmaker’. His loyalty to Edward came to an abrupt end when they quarrelled over Edward’s choice of bride. Richard had brokered a politically advantageous match for Edward with a French princess. Edward chose to follow his heart and married Elizabeth Woodville, a widow with no fortune or powerful allies to offer England. In addition, Edward further embarrassed Warwick by making an alliance with Burgundy, France’s long-running enemy. Having lost control of his monarch, Warwick switched allegiance to Henry, the former king. With the support of Henry’s wife Margaret and her allies in both Scotland and France, Henry was put back on the throne. Six months later, Henry again lost his crown and Warwick his life.

Warwick was killed at the battle of Barnet in April, 1471. The conditions were treacherous and Warwick found himself abandoned in thick fog. As he tried to leave the battlefield, his throat was cut. His disloyalty to Edward may have been forgiven by the King who gave the order to have him captured alive. Some say Edward wanted Warwick taken prisoner so that he could have him hung, drawn and quartered. However, rather than allowing his body to be dismembered, Edward gave the order for Warwick’s remains to be taken to St Pauls. He was displayed there for three days before being given to his family for private burial.

During his second reign, Edward was able to amass a substantial private fortune. This came partly through the confiscation of the assets of his old enemies the Lancastrians and partly through his alliance with Burgundy. This alliance allowed him to earn a substantial income from France in exchange for dropping his claim to their throne, under the terms of the Treaty of Pecquigny. This also meant that, unlike previous monarchs, Edward was not in danger of bankrupting the country in pursuit of war with France. He also encouraged England to become more prosperous through international trade. In addition, he was able to avoid raising taxes or calling on Parliament. Instead he preferred to use his considerable guile and charm by asking his noblemen for ‘benevolences’. In reality this meant they were encouraged to give him gifts to stay in his good books. Edward seems to have been content to enjoy the life of the Court at this time.

Edward’s brother George, Duke of Clarence, was at times disloyal to the King. George married into Edward’s enemy Warwick’s family and even joined him in battle against Edward. George and Warwick’s army captured Edward in July 1469 at the Battle of Edgecote Moor. This move lacked popular support, forcing Warwick and Clarence into exile. Although Edward forgave his brother, suspicion lingered. Eventually George was accused of treason and murdered in the Tower of London. When Edward contracted pneumonia he named another of his brothers, the Duke of Gloucester, as regent to his young son in the event of his death. This proved to be a tragic decision for Henry’s young heir when Edward died in 1483 of either a stroke or heartattack.

Edward IV Factfile