Edward IV AD 1461-1483 Silver Groat London

Edward IV AD 1461-1483 Silver Groat

Light Coinage

Quatrefoils at neck. mm. rose

London mint

S2000, 23mm, 2.73g

Edward IV was born in Rouen and until the death of his father at the Battle of Wakefield in AD 1460 was known as the Earl of March. Taking up the Yorkist cause upon the death of his father Defeating the Lancastrians at Mortimers Cross and Towton he claimed the throne and was first crowned in AD 1461. He married Elizabeth Woodville in AD 1464. This led to a dispute with his chief adviser Richard Neville the Duke of Warwick. Eventually Warwick defected to the Lancastrians which resulted in Edward being deposed and Henry VI being reinstated. Edward fought back defeating Warwick at the Battle of Barnet and the Lancastrians at the Battle of Tewkesbury in AD 1471. Warwick as well as Henry VI’s son Edward were killed and shortly afterwards Henry VI in the Tower. Edward reclaimed the throne.

Edward’s spending greatly exceeded his income and as a result the coinage was debased during his reign with the introduction of the Light coinage in AD 1464. Edward was keen on the arts and his count was described as being one of the most splendid in Europe. Edward died suddenly in AD 1483.