Edward IV's unstable first reign
I can explain why Edward IV’s first reign collapsed into instability and describe how he re-took his throne.
Edward IV's unstable first reign
I can explain why Edward IV’s first reign collapsed into instability and describe how he re-took his throne.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Although Edward IV’s rule was secure by 1464, he jeopardised stability by marrying Elizabeth Woodville.
- This marriage angered many at court, including Warwick, especially after the Woodvilles began to gain more influence.
- Queen Margaret and Warwick combined forces to usurp Edward, who fled abroad, and the crown was returned to Henry VI.
- Edward returned to defeat Warwick and Margaret at Barnet, Henry VI was murdered and Edward VI was restored as king.
- England had been made unstable by Edward IV’s inability to keep the support of his nobles.
Keywords
Court - all the people who live and work in a royal household
Nobles - people of the highest social class, given land from the monarch in return for loyalty
Alliance - a bond or connection between families or countries
Ally - a supporter or friend
Common misconception
Students may get confused between Edward, Prince of Wales and Edward IV.
Explain that Edward, Prince of Wales, is the only son of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou, and a Lancastrian. Edward IV is the son of Richard, Duke of York, who became Edward IV, and a Yorkist.
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Edward IV's unstable first reign, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Edward IV's unstable first reign, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
1455 Yorkist victory
1460 Lancastrian victory
February 1461 Yorkist victory
March 1461 Yorkist victory