Changes

That said, he owed his seizing of the throne from the mentally unstable and politically unpopular [[Henry VI]] more to his cousin, the powerful [[Richard Neville]], earl of Warwick - known to history as “Warwick the kingmaker” - than to any hereditary right. Agitation by a powerful group of [[barons]] to replace the inept Henry and his overbearing queen [[Margaret of Anjou|Margaret]] and her favourites with Edward's father had broken into open conflict in [[St. Albans]] in 1455 (considered the first battle of the “[[Wars of the Roses]]”) then again in 1459, continuing until the Lancastrian forces were defeated at Towton in 1461, Henry captured, and he and his queen forced into exile. Richard of York had died in battle the previous year and Edward took the throne. Henry was caught in northern England in 1465 and imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]].

That said, he owed his seizing of the throne from the mentally unstable and politically unpopular [[Henry VI]] more to his cousin, the powerful [[Richard Neville]], earl of Warwick - known to history as “Warwick the kingmaker” - than to any hereditary right. Agitation by a powerful group of [[barons]] to replace the inept Henry and his overbearing queen [[Margaret of Anjou|Margaret]] and her favourites with Edward's father had broken into open conflict in [[St. Albans]] in 1455 (considered the first battle of the “[[Wars of the Roses]]”) then again in 1459, continuing until the Lancastrian forces were defeated at Towton in 1461, Henry captured, and he and his queen forced into exile. Richard of York had died in battle the previous year and Edward took the throne. Henry was caught in northern England in 1465 and imprisoned in the [[Tower of London]].

In 1464 Edward secretly married a Lancastrian widow, Elizabeth [[Woodville]]. His desire for this lady perverted his political sense. He not only showered her family with estates and favours but changed foreign policy to form an alliance with [[Burgundy]] when the kingdom's prosperity would have been better ensured by friendship with [[France]]. When all this came to light Richard Neville was furious and changed sides. In 1469 he and Margaret forced Edward to flee to Holland and the reign of Henry VI was re-established.  

In 1464 Edward secretly married a Lancastrian widow, [[Elizabeth Woodville]]. His desire for this lady perverted his political sense. He not only showered her family with estates and favours but changed foreign policy to form an alliance with [[Burgundy]] when the kingdom's prosperity would have been better ensured by friendship with [[France]]. When all this came to light Richard Neville was furious and changed sides. In 1469 he and Margaret forced Edward to flee to Holland and the reign of Henry VI was re-established.  

He was back in England the following year, though, with a powerful force that defeated the Lancastrians in battles near [[Barnet]] - where Richard Neville was killed - then [[Tewkesbury]] where Henry's son and heir died and Margaret captured. Henry was returned to the Tower and put to death shortly after. Edward resumed his reign.

He was back in England the following year, though, with a powerful force that defeated the Lancastrians in battles near [[Barnet]] - where Richard Neville was killed - then [[Tewkesbury]] where Henry's son and heir died and Margaret captured. Henry was returned to the Tower and put to death shortly after. Edward resumed his reign.