(about 1442-1483), king of England. His father Richard, duke of York, was the grandson of the fourth son of Edward III, while the rival line of Lancaster descended from John of Gaunt, the third son. Edward, on the defeat and death of his father at the Battle of Wakefield, became the head of the Yorkist party and having entered London, after his splendid victory over the troops of Henry VI and Queen Margaret, was crowned with acclamation. His hold on the throne was not yet secure, however and when the powerful earl of Warwick, offended at Edward's marriage, went over to the Lancastrians, Edward was forced to leave the country, In 1471 he landed in England with an army, met Warwick and defeated him and was again proclaimed king. The remainder of his reign was peaceful.