Edward Wins at Mortimers Cross
Edward, Earl of March, defeated the Lancastrian forces under Jasper Tudor at Mortimer's Cross and later advanced his claim to the English throne.
Wars of the Roses · Permanent subject page
Edward IV
The Yorkist king and his campaigns, exile and restoration.
87 matching records from the 512-record archive. Year range: 1461–1475. These events are grouped by recorded place and year (or by person); their original event titles, descriptions and dates are retained.
1461
Edward Proclaimed King in London
Edward, Earl of March, was proclaimed Edward IV in London, marking a decisive advance in the Yorkist claim to the throne.
Edward Secures London After Welsh March Victory
After victory at Mortimer's Cross, Edward reached London, whose political leaders rejected the Lancastrian army and welcomed the Yorkist claimant.
Edward Approaches Ferrybridge Crossing
Edward IV's army approached Ferrybridge on the River Aire as it advanced toward the confrontation at Towton.
Towton Strengthens Edward Fourth Regime
Edward IV's victory at Towton destroyed the largest Lancastrian field army and made his position on the English throne far more secure.
Edward Consolidates Authority After Towton
Edward IV strengthened Yorkist control over England after defeating the Lancastrian army at Towton, although resistance continued in several regions.
Edward Establishes New Yorkist Royal Court
Edward IV formed a new royal administration after the defeat of Henry VI's supporters, although Yorkist control was not yet complete throughout the kingdom.
Edward Leads March North Against Lancastrians
Edward IV moved his army north in March 1461 to confront the Lancastrian host assembled around York.
Edward Rewards Loyal Officers After Towton
Edward IV distributed honours and offices to men who had supported his claim and helped secure victory at Towton.
1463
Edward Strengthens Northern Castle Control
Edward IV's forces continued campaigns against Lancastrian-held castles in northern England, tightening Yorkist control after Towton.
1469
Edgecote Reveals Royalist Military Weakness
Edward IV's regime suffered a serious military setback at Edgecote Moor, enabling Warwick to challenge the king's authority.
Edward Loses Army Near Banbury
Royalist troops supporting Edward IV were defeated by rebels at Edgecote Moor near Banbury, weakening the king's grip on power.
Edwards Authority Undermined at Edgecote
The defeat of the royal army at Edgecote Moor weakened Edward IV and enabled the Earl of Warwick to challenge his control of government.
Redesdale Rebels Defeat Royal Force
A rebel army associated with Robin of Redesdale defeated Edward IV's forces at Edgecote Moor, destabilising his position in 1469.
Clarence and Warwick Challenge Edward
Edward IV faced a challenge from his brother George, Duke of Clarence, and the Earl of Warwick, who supported the rebels against his government.
Edward Forced into Warwick Custody
After the royalist defeat at Edgecote, Edward IV fell into the hands of Warwick, who attempted to exercise influence over the captured monarch.
Edward Released from Warwick Detention
Edward IV regained his freedom after Warwick discovered that governing through the king's captivity was politically untenable.
Edward Returns to Personal Government
Edward IV resumed independent government after the political crisis produced by Warwick's imprisonment of him failed to resolve the rebellion.
Edward Temporarily Held by Rebels
Edward IV was detained by Warwick's faction after the defeat of royal forces at Edgecote Moor, temporarily limiting his ability to rule independently.
Edwards Captivity Weakens Royal Authority
Edward IV's temporary detention by Warwick's faction demonstrated the vulnerability of royal authority despite his earlier victories.
1470
Edward Defeats Welles Rebellion
Edward IV defeated a rising led by Robert Welles at Losecoat Field in March 1470, exposing links to Warwick and Clarence.
Edward Denounces Warwick and Clarence
Edward IV declared his former ally Warwick and his brother Clarence to be traitors following their involvement in rebellion.
Edward Deposed Following Warwick Invasion
Edward IV was displaced from the English throne after Warwick invaded in support of Henry VI and the king escaped to the Low Countries.
Edward Faces Warwick Rebellion
The rebellion and invasion led by Warwick during 1470 forced Edward IV to abandon his kingdom and flee to the Low Countries.
Edward Loses Southern Kingdom to Warwick
Warwick's September landing undermined Edward IV's rule while the king was unable to mount an effective defence against the rising.
Edward Reaches Burgundian Exile
Edward IV escaped to the Low Countries in October 1470 after Warwick returned to England and overthrew his government.
Edward Takes Refuge in Burgundy
Edward IV fled to Burgundian territory after Warwick's successful invasion restored Henry VI to the English throne.
Edward Tries to Restore Order in Wales
Edward IV relied on loyalists in Wales as Lancastrian supporters and Warwick's faction sought opportunities to challenge his rule.
1471
Edward Recaptures Henry Sixth
Edward IV entered London and took custody of Henry VI, who had been restored to the throne during Warwick's brief ascendancy.
Edward Reclaims Throne from Exile
Edward IV restored his power in London after returning from the Low Countries and taking Henry VI back into custody.
London Opens Its Gates to Edward
Edward IV was welcomed into London during his return from exile, enabling him to take control of the capital before Barnet.
Edward Marches Toward Warwick at Barnet
Edward IV approached Barnet as Warwick's force prepared to defend positions north of London, bringing the opposing armies into proximity.
Edward Positions Troops Before Barnet
Edward IV brought his army close to Warwick's lines at night, helping set the conditions for the surprise of the following morning.
Edward Confronts Warwicks Defensive Line
Edward IV's army attacked Warwick's troops positioned north of Barnet along the Great North Road, leading to a decisive Yorkist victory.
Edward Learns Margaret Has Landed
Margaret of Anjou's landing on the southern coast during the Barnet campaign forced Edward IV to prepare for a second Lancastrian field army.
Edward Orders Early Assault at Barnet
Edward IV attacked Warwick's army early on 14 April amid poor visibility, seeking to defeat his opponent before their forces could reorganise.
Edward Takes Offensive Against Warwick
Despite uncertainty about relative army strengths, Edward IV chose to engage Warwick directly and won at Barnet before Lancastrian forces could unite.
Edward Wins Battle of Barnet
Edward IV defeated Warwick's forces at Barnet and gained a decisive opportunity to recover undisputed control of London.
Edwards Barnet Victory Precedes Margarets Campaign
Edward IV defeated Warwick at Barnet, but Margaret of Anjou had landed in southern England and continued the Lancastrian challenge.
Fog Obscures Battle of Barnet
Dense morning mist at Barnet disoriented the armies and contributed to confusion during the struggle between Edward IV and Warwick.
Opposing Flanks Overlap at Barnet
The two armies were misaligned at Barnet, allowing each right wing to extend beyond the enemy's left and complicating the fighting.
Edward Arrests Archbishop George Neville
Edward IV detained George Neville, Archbishop of York, during his restored reign as he moved to suppress resistance linked to Warwick's rebellion.
Gloucester Refuses Margaret Passage
The governor of Gloucester refused entry to Margaret's force, allowing Edward IV's pursuing army to close the distance before Tewkesbury.
Edward Forces Lancastrians to Stand
Exhausted by their retreat and unable to cross the Severn easily, the Lancastrians prepared a defensive position at Tewkesbury to face Edward IV.
Edward Presses Advantage Near Severn
Edward IV's pursuit left the Lancastrian force with limited room to withdraw, contributing to its decision to fight at Tewkesbury.
Edward Wins Decisive Tewkesbury Battle
Edward IV defeated the Lancastrian army at Tewkesbury; Prince Edward of Westminster died in the fighting and Margaret of Anjou was captured afterwards.
Yorkists Prepare Dismounted Fight at Tewkesbury
Edward IV's army deployed many mounted soldiers who dismounted to fight on foot against the Lancastrian defensive position at Tewkesbury.
Burgundian Support Enables Edwards Return
Charles the Bold helped Edward IV equip a force for his 1471 return to England, despite the complexities of Burgundian diplomacy.
Clarence Rejoins Brother Edward
George, Duke of Clarence, abandoned Warwick's Lancastrian coalition and returned to the support of his brother Edward IV in 1471.
Clarence Submits to Edward Fourth
George, Duke of Clarence, withdrew from Warwick's alliance and returned to his brother Edward IV, strengthening Yorkist forces.
Clarences Reconciliation Strengthens Edward
George, Duke of Clarence, rejoined Edward IV's cause with armed followers, strengthening the king ahead of the decisive battles of 1471.
Edward Advances After Coventry Standoff
Edward IV ended the standoff around Coventry and advanced on London, where he recovered Henry VI before Warwick could intervene.
Edward Blocks Route Through Gloucester
By preventing Margaret's army from using Gloucester, Edward IV restricted its escape routes and pressed it toward the confrontation at Tewkesbury.
Edward Challenges Warwick at Coventry
Edward IV reached Coventry and challenged Warwick to battle, but Warwick refused to come out and fight on Edward's terms.
Edward Claims He Seeks York Dukedom
When returning to England, Edward IV initially presented his march as an attempt to recover his hereditary dukedom rather than openly demand the crown.
Edward Displays Bodies of Neville Commanders
The bodies of Warwick and his brother Montagu were brought to London after Barnet and shown publicly before burial.
Edward Displays Warwick Body in London
Edward IV arranged for Warwick's body to be displayed in London so that observers could verify the earl's death and the defeat of his rebellion.
Edward Embarks to Recover England
Edward IV set sail with a small expedition from the Low Countries to attempt the recovery of his throne from Henry VI's supporters.
Edward Exploits Margaret Strategic Uncertainty
The death of Warwick left Margaret of Anjou's commanders debating whether to continue their campaign, giving Edward IV time to reorganise his pursuit.
Edward Faces Fauconberg Threat to London
Edward IV's re-established government faced a Lancastrian attack on London led by Thomas Neville, known as the Bastard of Fauconberg, after Tewkesbury.
Edward Faces Surviving Lancastrian Army
The Yorkist victory at Barnet did not end the war because Margaret of Anjou and the Duke of Somerset remained capable of rallying Lancastrian forces.
Edward Marches Toward London
Edward IV turned away from Warwick's defensive position around Coventry and entered London to reclaim his former government.
Edward Mobilises Army Against Margaret
Edward IV gathered forces to confront Margaret of Anjou's newly arrived army, then marched west to prevent it from joining Jasper Tudor.
Edward Moves Ahead of Warwick Army
Edward IV took the initiative by moving south toward London while Warwick's forces gathered in the Midlands.
Edward Offers Battle Near Coventry
Edward IV challenged Warwick near Coventry, but the earl remained within the city's defences rather than commit his army.
Edward Orders Gloucester Bridge Secured
Edward IV warned the governor of Gloucester to prevent Margaret's retreating army from crossing the Severn into Wales.
Edward Pursues Lancastrian Survivors
Surviving Lancastrians joined Margaret of Anjou in western England, requiring Edward IV to campaign again after defeating Warwick.
Edward Pursues Retreating Margaret
Edward IV pressed his pursuit across Gloucestershire after scouts reported the movement of Margaret of Anjou's army toward Tewkesbury.
Edward Reaches Cirencester in Pursuit
Edward IV marched through the Cotswolds while attempting to intercept Margaret of Anjou's Lancastrian field army before it could reach Wales.
Edward Recognises Severn Crossing Threat
Edward IV understood that a successful Lancastrian crossing of the River Severn could permit Margaret of Anjou to link up with allies in Wales.
Edward Returns from Exile with Burgundian Aid
Edward IV returned from the Low Countries with financial and material assistance from Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, to regain his crown.
Edward Returns to London After Tewkesbury
Edward IV returned to London after defeating the Lancastrian army at Tewkesbury, with Henry VI still imprisoned in the Tower.
Edward Sails Across North Sea
Edward IV crossed the North Sea in March 1471 to land in England and restore his claim to the throne.
Edward Turns Toward Bristol
Edward IV turned his army southward on reports that Margaret of Anjou's forces were approaching Bristol, seeking to block their westward route.
Henry Sixth Dies During Edwards Restoration
Henry VI died in the Tower of London in May 1471 shortly after Edward IV recovered his throne; historians commonly regard his death as a killing.
Lancastrians Attempt Western Reinforcement
Edward IV tried to prevent Margaret of Anjou from uniting with more Lancastrian supporters in Wales and the western counties.
Lancastrians Feint Toward Little Sodbury
During the pursuit of Margaret's army, reports of a Lancastrian movement toward Little Sodbury drew Edward IV's attention to the approaches to Bristol.
Margaret Builds Forces While Edward Advances
After Barnet, Edward IV had to pursue Margaret of Anjou's army as it gathered men in western England and considered moving toward Wales.
Sodbury Hill Offers Defensive Ground
Sodbury Hill near the Bristol approaches was a prominent fortified position that figured in Edward IV's pursuit of the retreating Lancastrians.
Yorkist Scouts Clash Near Sodbury
Reconnaissance during Edward IV's pursuit of the Lancastrians led to a localised clash near Sodbury, rather than a major independent pitched battle.
1473
Edward Confronts Oxford Cornish Stronghold
Edward IV faced continued resistance from John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, after Oxford occupied St Michael's Mount in Cornwall.
1474
Edward Prepares French Campaign
Edward IV made preparations for an invasion of France, seeking to revive English influence and exploit his alliance with Charles the Bold of Burgundy.
Oxford Surrenders to Edwards Forces
John de Vere ended his resistance at St Michael's Mount and was imprisoned by Edward IV's government after the stronghold surrendered.
1475
Edward Negotiates with Louis Eleventh
Edward IV negotiated with Louis XI of France and accepted a truce that brought his French expedition to an end.
Burgundian Cooperation Disappoints Edward
Edward IV's French expedition was frustrated when Charles the Bold did not provide the military coordination that the English king had expected.
Edward Withdraws After French Treaty
Edward IV agreed to withdraw his army from France following the Treaty of Picquigny, accepting substantial payments instead of continuing the invasion.
Saint Quentin Denies Edward Entry
During Edward IV's expedition, the town of Saint-Quentin declined to receive his army, illustrating the difficulties of coordinating with Burgundian allies.