Edward IV

4 x 6 inches, watercolor, gouache and gold ink, 2008

Edward was born in 1442, the eldest son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York. It was Richard's claim to the throne of England that began the Wars of The Roses. After Richards death in 1460, Edward inherited the claim. With the support of the Earl of Warwick, his cousin, he defeated Henry IV and declared himself King in 1461. Warwick planned for Edward to marry and ally with France but Edward secretly married Elizabeth Wydeville. The marriage alienated Warwick, especially after Edward began to show preference to his new Woodville relations. Warwick and Edwards younger brother the Duke of Clarence joined forces to try and defeat Edward but in 1470 were finally defeated and forced to flee to France. Later that year Warwick returned with French support and invaded, forcing Edward to flee and the weak Henry VI to be restored to the throne. Edward went to Burgundy with his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester and there got support and with a small army returned to England. Clarence then changed sides and joined Edward and at the Battle of Barnet Warwick was defeated. Edward reclaimed his throne after the final decisive Battle of Tewkesbury. In 1475 he declared war on France but signed a treaty which gave him a yearly pension. With Elizabeth he had ten children. He died in 1483.