Edward IV
A charismatic and physically imposing Yorkist king who seized the English throne twice, bringing a fragile but vital peace between the Wars of the Roses.
1442–1483 (age 41)·King of England (1461–70, 1471–83)·Birthday: April 28
Biography
Edward IV was a king who made his own luck. At just eighteen, he emerged from the bloody chaos of the Wars of the Roses, using a combination of personal magnetism, military daring, and the support of the powerful Earl of Warwick to claim the crown from the mentally frail Henry VI. His first reign was marked by his secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner, a romantic move that alienated his key ally and sparked renewed conflict. Briefly driven into exile, Edward returned with a vengeance, crushing his enemies at the decisive battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury. His second reign was a period of relative stability and commercial growth, where he ruled effectively by cultivating merchant support and managing royal finances with a shrewd, business-like acumen. His sudden death at age forty, however, left a child heir and a power vacuum, plunging England back into the dynastic carnage he had temporarily quelled.
#1 When Edward Was Born
The biggest hits of 1442
Edward's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1442Born
1447Started school
1455Became a teenager
1458Could drive
1460Could vote
1463Turned 21
1472Turned 30
1482Turned 40
1483Died at 41
Key Achievements
- Won the throne at the Battle of Towton in 1461, the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil at the time.
- Secured his dynasty by decisively winning the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury in 1471, leading to the death of his rival Henry VI.
- Fostered a period of economic recovery and stability in England through careful management of royal lands and promotion of trade.
- Founded St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle as a spiritual home for the Order of the Garter.
Did You Know?
He was exceptionally tall for his era, standing around 6 feet 4 inches, and was known for his impressive physique and handsome appearance.
He had a famous appetite and in his later years became noticeably overweight.
His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was conducted in secret, with only the bride's mother and two ladies in attendance.
He is the great-great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I through his daughter Elizabeth of York.
“We will have the crown of England, or let him that wins it wear it.”
