Edward IV of England

Edward IV
Posthumous painting, c. 1540
King of England (more...)
First reign	4 March 1461 — 3 October 1470
Coronation	28 June 1461
Predecessor	Henry VI
Successor	Henry VI
Second reign	11 April 1471 — 9 April 1483
Predecessor	Henry VI
Successor	Edward VIII
Born	(1442-04-28)28 April 1442 Rouen, Normandy, France
Died	9 April 1483(1483-04-09) (aged 40) Westminster, Middlesex, England
Burial	18 April 1483 St George's Chapel
Spouse	Elizabeth Woodville (m. 1464)
Issue Among others	Elizabeth, Queen of England Cecily, Viscountess Welles Edward V, King of England Richard, Duke of York Anne, Lady Howard George, Duke of Bedford Catherine, Countess of Devon Arthur, Viscount Lisle (ill.)
House	York (Plantagenet)
Father	Richard, Duke of York
Mother	Cecily Neville
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Signature

Edward IV (28 April 1442 — 9 April 1483) was the King of England from 1461 until he was deposed in 1470, and again from 1471 when he was restored to the throne until his death in 1483. He was a main figure in the Wars of the Roses. The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars in England. They were fought between the Yorkist and Lancastrian groups between 1455 and 1487.

Edward became the leader of the House of York when his father, Richard, Duke of York died at the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460. Edward and his forces beat the Lancastrian armies at Mortimer's Cross and Towton in early 1461. After this, he deposed King Henry VI and became King of England. In 1464, he married Elizabeth Woodville. This led to conflict with his chief advisor, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as the "Kingmaker". Warwick wanted Edward to marry a princess from another country. In 1470, Warwick and Edward's brother George, Duke of Clarence led a revolt. They briefly re-installed Henry VI as king.

Edward fled to Flanders. In Flanders, he gathered support. His forces invaded England in March 1471. After winning the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury, he became king again. Soon after this, Henry VI was found dead in the Tower of London. Edward ruled in relative peace for the next twelve years. He died suddenly in April 1483. He was succeeded by his son Edward V, but Edward IV's brother Richard III soon took the throne.

Coat of Arms of Edward as Duke of York.

Coat of Arms of Edward as King of England.

Popularity

Edward was seen as a strong and popular king. He was also tall at 6 feet 4 inches (193 centimetres). This was very tall for a man in the 15th century. His height, as a monarch, was only passed by Peter I of Russia who was 6 feet 8 inches (203 centimetres) tall.