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Edward was born on 28 April 1442 at Rouen in France, the second son of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Yor, but the eldest of four to survive to adulthood. Edward's father was the leading Yorkist in the dynastic struggle against the Lancastrians known as the Wars of the Roses, which began in 1455. When Richard Plantagenet was killed at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460, Edward inherited his claim. With the support of the powerful Earl of Warwick, known as 'the Kingmaker', Edward defeated the Lancastrians in a series of battles, culminating in the Battle of Towton in 1461. With the Lancastrian king, Henry VI, overthrown, Edward was crowned Edward IV ascending the throne on the 4th March 1461. His coronantion was in Westmenster Abbey on 28th June 1461.
Warwick believed he could continue to control the new King. He was keen to negotiate a foreign marriage for Edward but in 1464 Edward secretly married Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner. It is said he was one of the few Royals to marry for love!
Warwick was furious at the favours now shown to Elizabeth's relatives and allied himself to Edward's brother George, Duke of Clarence, leading a revolt against the King. Warwick and Clarence then fled to France, where they joined Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI. Margaret's Lancastrian army invaded England in September 1470. Edward fled to the Netherlands until March 1471, when he and his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester, returned to England. Edward defeated and killed Warwick at Barnet before defeating the Lancastrians at Tewkesbury in May. Henry VI was put to death in the Tower.
The second part of Edward's reign, from 1471 to 1483, was a period of relative peace and security. He used income from the Crown Estates to pay governmental costs, and was therefore less in need of parliamentary grants than his predecessors - he called Parliament only six times. Commercial treaties, external peace and internal order revived trade, benefiting customs duties and other revenues. Councils were set up to govern in the Marches of Wales and in the north.
Edward died on 9 April 1483.
Edward died suddenly in 1483 and is buried in Windsor Castle. Edward was a very capable and daring commander who was never defeated in the field of Battle. Apart from a few political setbacks he was recognised as a very popular and able King.
He was succeeded by his twelve-year-old son, Edward V of England. Although his son was quickly barred from the throne and succeeded by Richard of Gloucester, Edward IV's daughter, Elizabeth of York, later became the queen of Henry VII of England.
Children
He left 7 legitimate children that survived to adulthood:
Edward V
Richard, Duke of York (Prince in the Tower)
Elizabeth, queen of Henry VII
Anne, who married Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk
Catherine, who married William Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon
Cecily, who married first the 1st Viscount Welles, and second, Thomas Kymbe
Bridet, who became a nun
Edward had numerous mistresses, the most well-known of whom is Jane Shore.
Edward and Richard, were left in the protection of their uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester. He housed them in the Tower of London where they were probably murdered on his orders. Parliament requested that Richard take the throne and he accepted, and was crowned Richard III.
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