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Wars of the Roses

Death of Edward IV

he next phase of the Wars of the Roses started in 1483 with the death of King Edward IV. The king was only 41 when he died and it is thought his death was caused by either catching malaria in France or more likely due to excessive eating which he was known to often do according to a chronicler of the time. At the age of only 13, Edward, the late king's son was nominated as the next King of England as Edward V. As Edward was too young to rule, Richard, Duke of Gloucester (the future Richard III) Edward's uncle, was made Protector. Although this was stipulated in the late King's will, it was decided that Richard alone should not govern the country and that he should be the chief memmber of a council of people.

The 4th of May had been set as the coronation date for Edward V, the new king. The Woodvilles wanted Edward crowned as soon as possible and they wanted The Duke of Gloucester's role as Protector changed so that he didn't command so much power. The Woodvilles were concerned that with the death of Edward IV who had been their protector, old rivalries would resurface and their grip on power may fail. The young King was at Ludlow and the Woodvilles escorted him to London via Northampton where it was agreed that they should meet Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. When Richard reached Northampton, he discovered that the Woodvilles had already left and were at Stony Stratford.

Gloucester, along with the Duke of Buckingham rode to Stony Stratford where they met with Edward under the pretence of offering their condolences for the death of his father. Instead, they captured the young king and took him directly to London and safe keeping in the Tower. Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers was arrested and imprisoned at Sherriff Hutton Castle, near York.

In June of 1483, the young king was deemed illegitimate. It was declared that his father Edward IV was already married before he had wed Elizabeth Woodville. This made it impossible for the young Edward to be crowned, and promoted Richard as the next in line for the throne of England. To secure his position, Richard had several members of Elizabeth Woodville's family arrested, including Anthony Woodville, her brother and Richard Grey, a son from her previous marriage to Sir John Grey. Both were taken to Pontefract Castle where they were executed.

Battles of the Wars of the Roses

Battles of the Wars of the Roses

Episode Events

1483

The health of King Edward IV was in decline and he declared that his brother Richard, Earl of Gloucester should be made Protector of England as the Prince of Wales was only twelve and too young to rule. Edward did not want the Queen and the Woodville family to have complete control of the country and by making Richard Protector of England, the King hoped to prevent a civil war.
Upon the death of the King Edward IV, his son Edward V became King of England. The nature of Edward IV's death is not known, but could have been caused by catching malaria in France or more likely due to excessive eating which he was known to often do according to a chronicler of the time. He died on April the 9th at the age of 41. Edward was buried at Windsor Castle in the new chapel of St. George.
Richard of Gloucester, assisted by the Duke of Buckingham rode to Stony Stratford where they met with the young Prince Edward under the pretence of offering their condolences for the death of his father. Instead, they captured Edward and took him directly to London and safe keeping in the Tower. Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers was arrested and imprisoned at Sherriff Hutton Castle, near York. [1]
Lord Hastings had supported Richard against the Woodvilles and had hoped to gain some reward for his loyalty, but the Duke of Buckingham seemed more likely to be rewarded at his expense. Hastings' loyalties swayed towards the Woodvilles and when Richard found out, Hastings was arrested and executed. [1]
To become king Richard Earl of Gloucester had to remove the young Edward V. Richard declared that his father Edward IV was already married when he married Elizabeth Woodville which meant that the marriage to Elizabeth was invalid. This also meant that Edward V was born out of wedlock and not able to become king. At this time Richard also arranged that the King's brother was moved to the Tower of London from Westminster Abbey where he had been looked after by his mother Elizabeth.
After the children of Edward IV were declared illegitimate, Richard, the Duke of Gloucester was nominated as the next King of England. He became King Richard III.
To secure his position, Richard Duke of Gloucester had several members of Elizabeth Woodville's family arrested, including Anthony Woodville, her brother and Richard Grey, a son from her previous marriage to Sir John Grey. Both were taken to Pontefract Castle where they were executed.
At some point the young King Edward V and his brother Richard disappeared. Whether they were murdered in the Tower of London and by whom is not known, but they were not seen of again. Later, in 1491, a man called Perkin Warbeck appeared in Ireland and claims were made that he was really Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, one of the princes in the Tower.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was declared the true heir to the English throne after the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville was deemed unlawful and their sons illegitimate. Richard III and Anne Neville, his wife, were crowned at Westminster Abbey.

1485

Henry Tudor, the future king of England Henry VII, landed at Milford Haven in Wales avoiding the south coast which was more heavily defended and made his way north. He was given money by Charles VIII of France to pay for soldiers and ships for the invasion. His claim to the throne of England was through his mother whose great-grandfather was John of Gaunt, the son of King Edward III. He was accompanied by his uncle Japser Tudor. [2]
By August 15th, Henry Tudor had reached the town of Shrewsbury. He had gained the support of some Welsh as he marched north. [3]
King Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth and Henry Tudor was proclaimed King of England. [4]
Henry Tudor is crowned as Henry VII at Westminster Abbey. [4]

1486

Henry married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV, at Westminster Abbey. This act brought the two houses, the Lancastrians and Yorkists, together under a new house, house Tudor.
See Also

Event Participants and Locations

Selection of references used:

  • 1: Anthony Cheetham, Life and times of Richard III, ISBN:0-297-83167-4, Weidenfield and Nicolson
  • 2: Peter Potter, Data Donation
  • 3: Anthony Goodman, The Wars of the Roses, ISBN:0-88029-484-1
  • 4: Jasper Ridley, The History of England, 1981, ISBN:0-7100-0794-9, Routledge & Kegan Paul (1981)
     
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