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Year 7

Edward IV's stable second reign

I can explain why Edward IV’s second reign was much more stable than his first.

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New
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Year 7

Edward IV's stable second reign

I can explain why Edward IV’s second reign was much more stable than his first.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Edward’s second reign was much more peaceful and England prospered.
  2. Lawlessness and conflict among the nobility subsided and Elizabeth Woodville was accepted as queen.
  3. Edward set up councils to rule lawless areas in the Welsh Marches and the North.
  4. The wool trade boomed and Edward forced the king of France to pay him money when he threatened invasion.
  5. Edward’s second reign saw stability because he kept order and with Henry VI dead, he had the support of the nobility.

Common misconception

Students might believe that the king could rule without the support ot the nobility.

Explain that the king relied on nobles to keep law and order in society, particularly in more remote parts of the kingdom.

Keywords

  • Nobility - belonging to the class of rich landowners such as lords

  • Commoner - an ordinary person, not part of the royal family or nobility

  • Council of the North - an organisation set up to improve control in the north

  • Welsh Marches - an area along the border between England and Wales

  • Pension - in this lesson, this refers to money granted as a favour or reward

Explain that there were 60 noble families that existed in England at the time of the Wars of the Roses; explain their role in society and how the conflict impacted them.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why was Elizabeth Woodville considered to be an inappropriate wife for Edward IV?
Correct answer: She was an English commoner and had already been married before.
She was a French princess and France was England's enemy.
She was too old to be able to have any children.
She was a Scottish princess and Scotland was England's enemy.
Q2.
Which princess did the Earl of Warwick try to arrange for Edward to marry?
Anne Neville
Correct answer: Bona of Savoy
Margaret Woodville
Isabella of Castille
Q3.
Due to Warwick's power and influence over other members of the nobility, historians have nicknamed him the ...
Correct Answer: kingmaker, Kingmaker, king maker, King maker
Q4.
At which battle was Warwick killed?
St Albans
Correct answer: Barnet
Towton
Tewkesbury
Q5.
At which battle was Edward, the son of Henry VI, killed?
St Albans
Wakefield
Towton
Correct answer: Tewkesbury
Q6.
Complete the sentence: Edward IV's failure to keep the support of the meant his first reign was unstable.
Correct Answer: nobility, nobles, Nobility, Nobles

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword with its correct definition.
Correct Answer:nobility,belonging to the class of rich landowners such as lords

belonging to the class of rich landowners such as lords

Correct Answer:commoner,an ordinary person, not part of the royal family or nobility

an ordinary person, not part of the royal family or nobility

Correct Answer:Council of the North,an organisation set up to improve control in the north

an organisation set up to improve control in the north

Correct Answer:Welsh Marches,an area along the border between England and Wales

an area along the border between England and Wales

Correct Answer:pension,money granted as a favour or reward

money granted as a favour or reward

Q2.
What lesson did Edward IV learn from his first reign?
the importance of punishing those who rebelled against him
Correct answer: the importance of keeping the support of the nobility
the importance of keeping the support of the commoners
the importance of showing favouritism to his family
Q3.
Why was Elizabeth Woodville eventually accepted by the royal court as queen consort?
Edward IV threatened to remove those who criticised her from court.
The court of Edward IV did not object to her being a commoner.
Correct answer: She was supported by her powerful Woodville relatives and produced heirs.
She ordered those who opposed her to be executed.
Q4.
Write the missing word. Edward set up to rule lawless areas in the Welsh Marches and the North.
Correct Answer: councils, Councils
Q5.
Match each improvement in Edward's second reign with how he achieved it.
Correct Answer:better control over the nobility,restored the support of those who had fought against him

restored the support of those who had fought against him

Correct Answer:improved trade,made agreements with Burgandy which helped the wool industry

made agreements with Burgandy which helped the wool industry

Correct Answer:prevented rebellions,set up councils and reduced the power of the Marcher Lords

set up councils and reduced the power of the Marcher Lords

Correct Answer:kept taxes low,won the French pension which boosted royal income and kept taxes down

won the French pension which boosted royal income and kept taxes down

Q6.
Which description of Edward IV's second reign is most appropriate?
stagnant and depressed
unstable and turbulent
violent and lawless
Correct answer: peaceful and stable

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