Edward IV ruled England from 1461 to 1470 and again from 1471 to 1483. He was the leading Yorkist claimant during the Wars of the Roses and became king after defeating the Lancastrian forces supporting Henry VI.
Edward’s first reign began on 4 March 1461, following Yorkist victories including Mortimer’s Cross and Towton. His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville in 1464 angered the powerful Earl of Warwick, the “Kingmaker,” and political divisions eventually helped trigger Edward’s temporary overthrow. Warwick restored Henry VI in October 1470, forcing Edward into exile.
Edward returned to England in 1471, defeated Warwick at Barnet, and won a decisive victory at Tewkesbury. He recovered the throne on 11 April 1471 and ruled until his death on 9 April 1483. His son Edward V succeeded him but was never crowned; Edward’s brother Richard then became Richard III. Edward IV is therefore not to be confused with Edward V, who had only a brief, disputed reign.