History of Wars Summary 21 - England's Wars of the Roses 4: The Conflict Between Warwick and Edward IV

After Edward IV ascended the throne, England began to establish a new order under the House of York. However, royal authority was not yet stable. The Lancastrian faction continued to resist, centered around Henry VI and Queen Margaret, and also utilized support from Scotland and France. Although Edward held a military advantage, competition among the nobles was also severe. Notably, Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, played a significant role in Edward's accession, but their relationship soured as the king strengthened his independent power. Edward's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville also disrupted the balance of noble politics. Warwick joined forces with disgruntled factions and launched a rebellion, even capturing Edward at one point. Ultimately, the conflict between the two men escalated to a point where reconciliation was difficult. In 1470, Warwick joined hands with his former enemy, Margaret, to try and restore Henry VI to the throne. With the so-called 'dynastic reversal,' the Wars of the Roses entered a new phase. However, Edward soon prepared a counterattack and returned to England.