Historie of the arrivall of Edward IV facts for kids

The Historie of the Arrivall of Edward IV. in England and the Finall Recouerye of His Kingdomes from Henry VI. A.D. M.CCCC.LXXI is an important old book, called a chronicle, from a time known as the Wars of the Roses. This book tells the story of King Edward IV returning to England in 1471 to get his crown back.

A King's Fight for His Crown

The Wars of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses were a series of fights between two powerful families in England: the House of York (who used a white rose as their symbol) and the House of Lancaster (who used a red rose). They were both fighting to decide who should be king.

Edward IV's Exile

In 1470, King Edward IV had to leave England because of a rebellion led by Richard Neville, who was known as the Earl of Warwick. Warwick was a very powerful noble. After Edward left, Warwick put Henry VI back on the throne. Henry VI was like a puppet king, meaning Warwick was really in charge. King Edward went to a place called Flanders (which is now part of Belgium) to stay safe.

The Return to England

While in Flanders, Edward IV received help from Charles the Bold, who was the Duke of Burgundy. With this support, Edward gathered his forces. On March 14, 1471, he landed at a place called Ravenspurn in Yorkshire, England. From there, he began to make his way south, aiming to reclaim his kingdom.

The Battle of Barnet

Edward IV's journey led to a major battle. On April 14, 1471, Edward's army fought against Warwick's forces at the Battle of Barnet. Edward won this important battle, and the Earl of Warwick was killed. This victory helped Edward IV secure his place as king once again.

The Storyteller's Secret

The person who wrote the Historie of the Arrivall is not known by name. However, the author tells us that he worked for King Edward IV. Because of this, the book is written from King Edward's point of view and shows support for him.

A Unique Viewpoint

Even though the author was on King Edward's side, his story is very special. He says that he saw some of the events happen with his own eyes. For other parts, he learned the details from people who were very close to the events.

Why This Book Is Important

The Historie of the Arrivall was written very soon after these events took place. Because the author was so close to the action and wrote it quickly, many historians believe it is the most reliable source of information from that time. It is often considered more accurate than other writings, like the Croyland Chronicle or the works by Polydore Vergil.

Different Versions of the Story

There are two versions of this chronicle. One is the full, official version. The other is a shorter version written in French. This French version was sent to the people of Bruges, a city where King Edward had stayed when he was in exile. It was a way to thank them for their kindness and help.