Kings and Queens

Edward IV

Born in 1442 
Ascended in 1461
Deposed in 1470 
Re-ascended in 1471
Died in 1483, aged 41 
Reigned a total of 21 years 
Married to Elizabeth Woodville bearing 2 sons and 5 daughters.

Edward IV was born in Rouen in 1442. He reigned from 1461 to 1483 when he died at Westminster, although there was a break in his reign when he fled to Flanders. 

When King Henry VI became mentally ill, his cousin, Richard was appointed Protector. After a year he was dismissed and his son took over power as Edward IV. The War of the Roses continued throughout Edward's reign: the battles were bloody, hectic and disorganised. However, to an extent, there was a policy of killing the noblemen and sparing the common people. This resulted in the gradual massacre of a large percentage of the ruling classes. 

Much to the distress of his cousin, the earl of Warwick, Edward married Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner. His cousin was practically ruling England at the time and the disagreement caused the two to go to war at the battle of Barnet. Edward was forced to flee to Flanders and Henry, although unfit, was restored to the throne temporarily. Edward soon mustered enough troops to reclaim the throne a year later when he defeated Margaret of Anjou (Henry's wife) at Tewkesbury.

During his reign, Edward encouraged trade and successfully increased the wealth of his country. It was during his reign that William Caxton first started publishing books and in doing so actually decided which English dialect was to become the established English language.