Edward
Father and Son
(House of York – The White Rose)
Edward IV of England (1442-1483) was one of England’s most successful kings. A man of many accomplishments, he never lost a battle and won the throne by conquest at age 18 (1461).
The first half of his 22-year reign was marred by turmoil from rebellious relatives, who deposed him in 1470 and reinstalled the Lancastrian King Henry VI.
Edward fled the country with his youngest brother, Richard, and other companions. His Queen Elizabeth Woodville sought sanctuary in Westminster Abbey with her three young daughters. There, she gave birth to Edward’s first son, the future Edward V.
In the Spring of 1471, Edward returned to reclaim his throne. For the next 12 years, he ruled as an autocrat.
Edward excelled in business, patronized Caxton’s printing press, built St. George’s Chapel at Windsor, founded England’s naval heritage, and reigned during a period of peace and prosperity.
He died before his 41st birthday. On his deathbed, he had little choice but to make his only living brother, Richard, Protector of his 12-year-old son, who was now Edward V.
Richard, however, exploited his power as Protector after his brother’s death, destroying young Edward’s followers and placing him and his brother in the Tower of London on the pretext of preparing for his
Coronation.
In late June 1483, Richard usurped the throne as Richard III and most likely assassinated his nephews sometime after his own coronation in July.
The Yorkists, remaining true to Edward V conspired in his favor against Richard until hearing rumors of his and his brother’s assassination. They then turned their allegiance to the unknown Lancastrian Henry Tudor, who promised to marry Edward IV’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
Richard was killed in battle at Bosworth in August 1485, and Henry Tudor took the throne as Henry VII.