Dynasties divided
The Wars of the Roses were a bitter dynastic struggle that embroiled several generations EDWARD IV
Two families and their supporters warred mercilessly for control of the crown
THE POWERFUL WARRIOR KING WHOSE BATTLEFIELD SUCCESS ESTABLISHED THE YORKIST DYNASTY 1442-83 YORKIST
Although the final clash between Richard III and Henry Tudor defines the Wars of the Roses in the popular imagination, it was Edward IV who was by far the most dynamic and successful commander of the dynastic conflict.
Edward was the eldest son of Richard, Duke of York and began fighting in the wars aged only 17. Aided by his father’s closest ally the earl of Warwick, Edward became a formidable battlefield commander. Warwick and Edward won a significant victory at Northampton in
July 1460, where Henry VI was captured, and the Yorkists began to unofficially rule England. York then officially attempted to claim the throne, prompting a Lancastrian revolt. After York was killed at Wakefield in December 1460 Edward became the leader of the Yorkists.
In February 1461 Edward won the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross and was soon proclaimed King Edward IV in London. However, Henry VI had escaped and England now had two competing kings. The ultimate clash came at Towton, in an extremely bloody battle that Edward decisively won. Although he was still a teenager, Edward was physically imposing at 1.9 metres (six feet four inches) tall and played an active fighting role during the battle. Henry VI was captured years after Towton, but Edward’s rule was momentarily secure.
From 1469 relations between Edward and Warwick became strained due to major political differences, and Warwick defected to the exiled Lancastrians. Edward was forced to flee to Flanders in 1470, but he returned the following year. Between April and May 1471 Edward won two decisive battles at Barnet and Tewkesbury that oversaw the destruction of Warwick and the Lancastrian cause. He then ruled peacefully until 1483, having won every single battlefield engagement he commanded. For this reason Edward IV is one the most militarily successful monarchs to have ruled England.
“ALTHOUGH HE WAS STILL A TEENAGER, EDWARD WAS PHYSICALLY IMPOSING AT 1.9 METRES (SIX FEET FOUR INCHES) TALL AND PLAYED AN ACTIVE FIGHTING ROLE DURING THE BATTLE”