Edward IV

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that in many ways, Edward IV improved the lives of the courtiers and the commoners. The paper also shows how he spent many of his years at war, actually lost his throne for a brief period, overspent and overtaxed his subjects and struggled with court intrigue mostly brought on by power playing families. The paper concludes, however, that Edward can be considered a great king for several reasons, including the fact that he left England a far more stable and strong country than when he had became king.

From the Paper:

"Edward IV was born in Rouen, France, on April 28, 1442, to Richard, Duke of York, and his young wife, Cecily Neville. At the time, Richard was serving as Lieutenant-General of English France, a position that took the young couple away from their homeland and set up the baby Edward for a life dominated by military action. Cecily was from a prestigious family in Northumberland. When her family was united with the House of York through the marriage, it was obvious that their children would be part of the court. Historians have long speculated about the paternity of young Edward as he did not resemble his father at all and his mother was suspected of having a relationship with a guardsman named Blackburn. However, no real evidence has ever been presented to support that supposition."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Pollard, A.J. Late Medieval England 1399-1509. London: Pearson, 2000.
• St. Aubyn, Giles. The Year of Three Kings. New York: Atheneum, 1983.
• Simons, Eric N. The Reign of Edward IV. New York: Barnes and Nobles, 1966.
• Steane, John. The Archaeology of the Medieval English Monarchy. New York:Routledge, 1993.

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