The personal rule of Edward IV

Question 1

The first years

Answer 1

The first years of Edwards’s reign were dominated by consolidating his authority in the North and crushing Lancastrian opposition

Edward did not personally take part in any campaigns in the North and left it to Warwick and Lord Montagu

In 1461 they slowly took control of Northumberland with the surrender of Alnwick and Dunstanburgh

Question 2

Lord Montagu

Answer 2

25th April 1464 at The Battle of Hedgeley Moor Montague defeats Somerset’s army

15th May 1464 at the Battle of Hexham Montague defeated the Lancastrians
Somerset, Lord Roos and other leading Lancastrians were executed

Montagu had put an end to the Lancastrian resistance in the North

Question 3

Margaret of Anjou

Answer 3

Margaret was the biggest threat to Edward in the early years of his reign

She began negotiating with Louis XI for support
On the 24th of June 1462, they settled on the secret agreement of Chinon
Louis would grant Margaret aid in return for the stronghold of Calais

However, Louis couldn’t take control of Calais without going through the powerful Duke of Burgundy
His Enthusiasm diminished and Margaret’s force only numbered 800 men

Question 4

The ending of Lancastrian resistance
How did Edwards’s tactic change in 1463?

Answer 4

Edwards’s tactic in 1463 changed from military operations to diplomatic operations

He realised the best way to defeat the Lancastrian was to cut off support from foreign powers

Edward agreed to a truce with Louis in October 1463 where the French king agreed he would no longer support the Lancastrians

Diplomatic efforts were also successful in Scotland in December 1463