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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Edward IV
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(1442–83)
King of England from 1461, except for six months in 1470–1; eldest surviving son of Richard, duke of York, and Cicely Neville; married in 1464 Elizabeth Woodville.
He was the first Yorkist king (the dukedom of York being his hereditary title) and his accession to the throne was achieved in the turmoil of the *Wars of the Roses. He was descended from two of the sons of Edward III (see the *royal house), but his claim became strong only through the weakness of his cousin *Henry VI. Edward's greatest advantage was that he was related, through his mother, to the most powerful baron in England, *Warwick the Kingmaker. In 1461 Henry VI fled to Scotland and Edward was crowned in London.
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There were several reverses ahead. Edward lost the support of Warwick through marrying a commoner, Elizabeth *Woodville, and giving to her family the royal favour which had previously been Warwick's. With Warwick's help Henry VI was now returned to the throne (Oct. 1470), but Edward defeated Warwick at Barnet in April 1471, after which he had Henry murdered.
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Edward had proved himself a brilliant general, using tactics such as unexpected forced marches (on one occasion of more than 64km/40m). In 1475, in the final gasp of the *Hundred Years' War, he landed a vast army in France; but he brought his soldiers home, without a blow being struck, in return for a fat French pension for life. With the benefits of peace he was soon making improvements in both finance and administration, but he died of a sudden illness when he was only 40. He was succeeded briefly by his 12-year-old son, Edward V (see the *royal house).
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