Edward IV’s triumph at the Battle of Towton (1461) secured his ascension as King of England, marking the zenith of Yorkist power. Edward was a charismatic and capable monarch who restored order and wealth, albeit not without ongoing Lancastrian resistance.
The Fracturing of the Yorkist Cause
Despite early success, the unity within the House of York and their allied factions began to unravel due to several critical factors:
1. Internal Family Rivalries
Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner’s daughter, alienated powerful nobles like the Earl of Warwick, known as the "Kingmaker." Warwick’s discontent led to rebellion and eventually to him switching allegiance to the Lancastrians, undermining Yorkist strength from within.
2. The Question of Succession
Edward IV’s unexpected death in 1483 thrust the realm into chaos. His young son, Edward V, was proclaimed king but was quickly deposed by his uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who declared himself Richard III. This act fractured the legitimacy of Yorkist rule and alienated many supporters.
3. The Princes in the Tower
The disappearance of Edward V and his younger brother Richard in the Tower of London remains one of history’s most notorious mysteries. Their presumed murder, likely orchestrated by Richard III, stained his reputation and weakened the Yorkist cause morally and politically shutdown123