King Edward IV
(1442-1483), Reigned 1461-70 and 1471-83Sitter associated with 37 portraits
The first Yorkist King of England. Edward was the son of Richard, Duke of York and great grandson of Edward III. Following his father's death in 1460, Edward defeated Henry VI's Lancastrian supporters at a decisive battle in the ongoing Wars of the Roses and was crowned king in 1461. Edward's unpopular marriage in 1464 to a commoner, Elizabeth Woodville, alienated his staunchest supporter, the Earl of Warwick, who staged an invasion with Henry VI's queen, Margaret of Anjou, in 1470. Edward was forced to flee but returned in 1471, killing Warwick and finally establishing the House of York firmly on the throne. As king he renewed England's wars with France, and reorganised crown revenues.
Related People
- Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy (sister)
- King Edward V (son)
- Elizabeth Woodville (wife)
- Elizabeth of York (daughter)
- George, Duke of Clarence (brother)
- King Richard III (brother)
- Richard, Duke of York and Duke of Norfolk (son)
- Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (niece)
- Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York (father)
- Cecily (née Neville), Duchess of York (mother)
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