Edward IV

Timeline

1. 1442–1455Ludlow Castle · Welsh MarchesEdward was born on 28 April 1442 in Rouen (Normandy), eldest son of Richard, Duke of York. Created Earl of March in childhood, he received a noble education at Ludlow. During his father's power struggles with the Lancastrians in the 1450s, Edward observed and learned his elders' political and military operations as the family heir.
2. 1455–1460Calais · English enclave (Calais)After the First Battle of St Albans in 1455 Edward became more actively involved in politics. After the rout at Ludford Bridge in 1459 the Yorkists went into exile: his father fled to Ireland, while Edward retreated to Calais with the Earl of Warwick. In June 1460 Edward and Warwick crossed from Calais back to England, winning a great victory at Northampton in July and capturing Henry VI alive. That October the Duke of York was named heir under the Act of Agreement, making Edward second in line to the throne. His father was killed at the Battle of Wakefield on 30 December, and Edward became the natural leader of the Yorkists.
3. 1461–1470Westminster · LondonAfter consecutive victories at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross in February 1461 and Towton in March, Edward IV was formally crowned King of England, establishing the House of York. In 1470 the Earl of Warwick defected and Edward was briefly forced into exile, but after returning in 1471 he decisively defeated the Lancastrians, completing final unification. His subsequent rule was relatively stable until his sudden death in 1483.