EDOARDO IV, king of England. - B. at Rouen on 25 Apr. 1442, d. in Apr. 1483. Founder of the dynasty of the house of York, as the more
(by courtesy of Dr. D. Hagenhart)
EDOARDO II - Giovanni di Mandeville takes leave of the King of England E. II. French art (early 15th century) - Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Nouv. acquis, franc. 4515.
A close relative of Edoardo III, he advanced claims to the throne against King Enrico VI and, from Calais, where he had fled in 1459, returned to England in June 1460 to begin the struggle. He succeeded in having himself proclaimed king on 4 March 1461, definitively defeating his opponent in 1471, whom he had assassinated. From that moment he was able to reign unchallenged, accentuating his tendency toward absolute power. His claims to the throne of France were thwarted by Luigi XI through the Treaty of Picquigny (1475).
BEL.: L. Stratford, Edward the Fourth, London 1010; C. L. Schofield, The life and reign of Edward IV, ibid. 1923.