Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was a pivotal figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars between the rival houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. As a member of the House of York, Edward IV inherited his claim to the throne at the age of 18 following the death of his father, Richard, Duke of York, at the Battle of Wakefield on 30 December 1460.
Born at Rouen in France, Edward IV was the eldest son of Richard, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. His early life was shaped by the ongoing conflicts of the Wars of the Roses. In 1461, at the age of 18, he demonstrated his military prowess by defeating Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross on 2 February, where he adopted the emblem of the sun in splendour. This victory was followed by the decisive Battle of Towton on 29 March 1461, the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil, which secured his claim to the throne. He was proclaimed king in London and crowned at Westminster Abbey on 28 June 1461, deposing the Lancastrian king Henry VI.
During his first reign (1461–1470), Edward IV relied heavily on his cousin Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as the "Kingmaker," for support. However, tensions arose due to Edward IV's secret marriage in 1464 to Elizabeth Woodville, a widow of lower nobility, which bypassed political alliances like a proposed match with a French princess. This marriage elevated the Woodville family, alienating Warwick and leading to rebellion. In 1469, Warwick and Edward IV's brother George, Duke of Clarence, rose against him, forcing Edward IV to flee to the Low Countries in October 1470. Henry VI was briefly restored to the throne in what is known as the Readeption.
Edward IV returned from exile in March 1471, landing at Ravenspur. He swiftly regained support and defeated Warwick at the Battle of Barnet on 14 April 1471, where Warwick was killed. Days later, on 4 May 1471, he crushed the remaining Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Tewkesbury, where Edward, Prince of Wales (son of Henry VI), was killed, and Henry VI was later murdered in the Tower of London, possibly on Edward IV's orders. This effectively ended Lancastrian resistance, securing Edward IV's second reign (1471–1483).
In his second reign, Edward IV focused on consolidating power and promoting economic stability. He strengthened the monarchy through financial reforms, including the resumption of crown lands and the establishment of the King's Council in the North. His foreign policy included a treaty with France in 1475, averting war, and interventions in Scotland. Edward IV was known for his tall stature, physical strength, and charisma, earning him a reputation as a warrior king. He was also a patron of the arts and architecture, contributing to the rebuilding of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville had ten children, including two sons who briefly succeeded him: Edward V (born 1470) and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York (born 1473). Their daughters included Elizabeth of York (born 1466), who later married Henry VII, uniting the houses of York and Lancaster. Edward IV's death on 9 April 1483 at Westminster Palace, aged 40, was likely due to pneumonia or a respiratory illness exacerbated by overindulgence. His burial took place at St. George's Chapel.
Following his death, political intrigue led to the brief reign of Edward V, who was declared king at age 12 but never crowned. Edward IV's brother Richard III assumed the role of Lord Protector and later usurped the throne, imprisoning Edward V and his brother in the Tower of London, where they became known as the Princes in the Tower and are presumed murdered. This sparked further conflict, culminating in Richard III's defeat at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
Edward IV's reign is often viewed as a period of relative stability after the chaos of the Wars of the Roses, laying groundwork for the Tudor dynasty through his daughter's marriage. He is remembered for his military successes, administrative reforms, and role in ending the medieval phase of English history.
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