Edward V York King Of England

Other Events and Attributes:

• Category: English Royalty - Plantagenet, Yorkist Line

Notes:

Acceded Apr 1483-Jun 1483.

Edward V (reigned April-June 1483) was a minor, and his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was made Protector. Richard had been loyal throughout to his brother Edward IV including the events of 1470-71, Edward's exile and their brother's rebellion (the Duke of Clarence, who was executed in 1478 by drowning, reputedly in a barrel of Malmsey wine). However, he was suspicious of the Woodville faction, possibly believing they were the cause of Clarence's death. In response to an attempt by Elizabeth Woodville to take power, Richard and Edward V entered London in May, with Edward's coronation fixed for 22 June. However, in mid-June Richard assumed the throne as Richard III (reigned 1483-85). Edward V and his younger brother Richard were declared illegitimate, taken to the Royal apartments at the Tower of London (then a Royal residence) and never seen again. (Skeletons, allegedly theirs, found there in 1674 were later buried in Westminster Abbey.)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Category: English Royalty - Plantagenet, Yorkist Line

Notes:

Acceded 1461-1483.

Edward IV
Edward IV (reigned 1461-70 and 1471-83) was able to restore order, despite the temporary return to the throne of Henry VI (reigned 1470-71, during which time Edward fled to the Continent in exile) supported by the Earl of Warwick, 'the Kingmaker', who had previously supported Edward and who was killed at the Battle of Barnet in 1471. Edward also made peace with France; by a shrewd display of force to exert pressure, Edward reached a profitable agreement with Louis XI at Picquigny in 1475.

At home, Edward relied heavily on his own personal control in government, reviving the ancient custom of sitting in person 'on the bench' (i.e. in judgement) to enforce justice. He sacked Lancastrian office-holders and used his financial acumen to introduce tight management of royal revenues to reduce the Crown's debt. Building closer relations with the merchant community, he encouraged commercial treaties; he successfully traded in wool on his own account to restore his family's fortunes and enable the King to 'live of his own', paying the costs of the country's administration from the Crown Estates profits and freeing him from dependence on subsidies from Parliament.

Edward rebuilt St George's Chapel at Windsor (possibly seeing it as a mausoleum for the Yorkists, as he was buried there) and a new great hall at Eltham Palace. Edward collected illuminated manuscripts - his is the only intact medieval royal collection to survive (in the British Library) - and patronised the new invention of printing. Edward died in 1483, leaving by his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville a 12-year-old son Edward to succeed him.

Edward married Elizabeth Wydeville on 1 May 1464 in Grafton Regis. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard Wydeville and Jacquetta Luxemborg) was born about 1437 in England; died on 8 Jun 1492 in Bermondsey Abbey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Cecily De Neville before 1438. Cecily (daughter of Ralph De Neville Earl Of Westmorland and Joan De Beaufort) was born in 1415 in England; died on 31 May 1495 in Berkhamstead Castle. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Jacquetta Luxemborg. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Anne De Mortimer in 1408. Anne (daughter of Roger De Mortimer Earl Of March and Alianor De Holand) was born on 27 Dec 1390 in England; died in Sep 1411. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ralph married Joan De Beaufort on 29 Nov 1396 in Chateau DE Beaufort, Meuse-Et-Loire, France. Joan (daughter of John Of Gaunt Plantagenet Duke Of Lancaster and Katherine De Roet, Of Guienne) was born about 1379 in Chateau DE Beaufort, Maine-Et-Loire, France; died on 13 Nov 1440 in Howden, Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]