How did Edward IV become king in 1461?

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  • How did Edward IV become king in 1461?
    • The Battle of Mortimer's Cross 2nd February 1461
      • Edward heard of Wiltshire gathering Irish, French and Breton forces, so he intercepted them at M.C
      • the Yorkist victory gained Edward huge  prestige at winning his first battle
        • makes him look like a strong, competent leader
    • Act of Accord 1460
      • York was to become king after the death of Henry VI
    • Death of York
      • at Christmas, York was hunting with Salisbury and Rutland where they were attacked by a large Lancastrian force consisting of Somerset, Northumberland and Clifford
    • Margaret's northern host
      • Margaret's Scottish forces, pillage towns and villages they went through
        • causes resentment and a breeding ground for Yorkist propaganda
      • writings of the 'northern host' are unclear whether their reputation was true
        • generalised writings about murder and destruction rather than specific details
      • defeated Warwick's army at St Albans
        • several Yorkist leaders were captured - eg Lord Bonville was then executed
        • Lancastrians managed to take Henry back, re-joining him with his family
          • Lancastrians now held power and legitimacy to their cause and had full control of the king
      • Reputation of the army following the battle was now so bad that London was very nervous at their arrival
        • Yorkist propanganda fed the Londoner's worry
        • London told MArgaret to send her army to Dunstable so that they wouldn't pillage the capital
        • worry made the Londoner's more pro York
        • absence of the army made York's path easy for him to make his way to the capital
    • Edward, Duke of York
      • Following the Battle of St Albans, York hurried to London where he met Warwick and received a far warmer welcome than the victorious Margaret
      • Edward's appearance at 6'4'' made him look like a strong figure to lead the country and overturn Henry VI
      • 3 March 1461 a council agreed that Edward should be King. the next day he was publicly  proclaimed king at Westminster
      • Edward had taken advantage of the lack of support for Margaret and poor governance of Henry and the 'horrors' of the northern horde to fulfil his father's dream of the throne

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