2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499 Part 4 Depth Study: History AQA A level Revision.

What is the other name for the reign of King Edward IV?

'The Sun in Splendor'.

It referred to his battle flag.

Reign of Edward IV, 1471–1483.

The second reign of Edward IV, between 1471 and 1483, was not politically and economically stable. Although King Henry VI and his son were killed, there were still political factions and supporters of the House of Lancaster.
New enemies and potential heirs to the throne have appeared. Factional rivalries still exist, and Elizabeth Woodville is still not a favourite queen because of her ancestral heritage and past.

The consolidation of royal authority under Edward IV.

King Edward IV and his military forces defeated almost all enemies after the Battle of Barnet (April 1471) and Tewkesbury (May 1471). Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, and Henry VI's son, Edward of Westminster, lost their lives in these battles. The former king Henry VI died shortly after these battles, after which Edward IV was crowned king again and remained in that position until his death in 1483, after which he was succeeded by his son Edward V.

Although the period between 1471 and 1483 was not completely politically stable, it was a period of political, economic, and social peace and stability.

Aim of Edward IV during the second reign.

To establish peace and stability in the country.

The development of new methods of government.

Edward IV aimed to strengthen his authority as king of England to calm internal factions. The period of peace during his reign allowed for economic growth, thanks to the growth of trade that he encouraged. Encouraging the development of trade and concluding trade agreements allowed the English king to profit.
Edward IV made peace with France, dismissed Lancastrian officials, and used his financial knowledge to impose strict royal revenue management and reduce the crown's debt. At the same time, King Edward won the people's support by enabling individuals to stand out through ranks based on merit, not noble origin.

Factional rivalries and court politics: hostile reactions against the influence of the Woodvilles,

After secretly marrying Elizabeth Woodville, the widow of a Lancastrian knight of humble origin, King Edward met with the disapproval of the nobles. First, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, showed displeasure, but other nobles resented it.

Many nobles looked down upon Elizabeth Woodville, but she managed to preserve her marriage and the loyalty of King Edward IV.

Relationship with French.

The second reign of King Edward IV was relatively peaceful until 1475, when Edward allied himself with Burgundy (enemies of France) and declared war on France. It is important to know that the relationship between France and England was bad even before this, remember the Hundred Years War.

However, King Edward IV and French King Louis XI signed the Treaty of Picquigny, which allowed the English army to leave France in exchange for money. At the same time, the English renounced their rights to French lands such (Normandy).

The relationship between King Edward IV and his brother George, Duke of Clarence.

After George, Duke of Clarence, formed an alliance with Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, and turned against his brother Edward IV in 1468, their relations were not good. George married Richard Neville's daughter, Isabel Neville. George and Edward IV reconciled after Richard Neville married his second daughter to Edward, Prince of Wales, son of King Henry VI, but the king did not trust him.

He was tried for treason against the king in February 1478. According to some historical sources, George was drowned in a cask of Madeira wine.

Change and continuity in English society during a decade of peace: trade and the economy.

The period of peace during Edward IV's second reign allowed for economic growth, thanks to the growth of trade that he encouraged. Encouraging the development of trade and concluding trade agreements allowed the English king to profit.
Trade flourished, facilitated by the improvement of infrastructure and the expansion of overseas markets and trade agreements.

Change and continuity in English society during a decade of peace: Social Mobility.

Social mobility improved because King Edward IV enabled people to attain high ranks based on merit rather than hereditary and noble birth.
This should also be connected with the flourishing of trade because merchants managed to get rich thanks to their work. This was the beginning of a change in the social hierarchy and the rise of a new middle class.

Change and continuity in English society during a decade of peace: Regions.

The growth of trade contributed to the prosperity of urban centres and the emergence of a wealthy merchant class. The north of the country was more developed than the south.
So, we can conclude that not all regions of England developed equally, and it is essential to know that England was still a predominantly rural country.

The premature death of Edward IV and the crisis of the Yorkist succession.

Edward IV (1442-1483) died after a short illness in April 1483. When he fell ill, he wrote a will and left his son Edward V as his heir. As Edward V was a minor, his Lord Protector was to be his brother Richard III.

King Richard, who had two daughters, was constantly jealous of his brother and wanted to take over the throne. After the death of King Edward IV, he declared the marriage of King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth Woodville to be illegitimate, so his children could not inherit it. He did not comply with his brother's wishes. He imprisoned the sons of King Edward IV in the tower, his daughters and his wife, Elizabeth Woodwall, were banished, and he took over the throne. Edward V actually reigned briefly from April to June 1483 and was not crowned.

Edward V and Richard Duke of York.

Edward V (1470-1483) and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York (1473-1483), were the sons of King Edward IV. Their uncle, King Richard III, imprisoned them in a tower in the Tower. They were kept there for a while but are believed to have been killed on the orders of their uncle, King Richard III.