1470- The Lancastrians take back the English throne, and make Henry VI their King again, though his wife is the true power behind the throne. Edward IV and Richard of Gloucester take sanctuary in Burgundy. Elizabeth Woodville delivers Edward’s son, also named Edward, in Westminster Abbey. Isabella of Castile, claimant to the throne of Castile, gives Ferdinand, Prince of Girona a son, Juan.
1471- Edward IV takes back the English throne, after defeating Edward of Westminster in battle. Edward manages to escape the battle unharmed, and with his mother, takes his newly pregnant wife, Anne Neville, and his father, Henry VI, back to France, and the court of Louis XI.
Queen Elizabeth Woodville with her infant son, Edward, Prince of Wales
1472- Margaret of York, Anne Neville, and Elizabeth Woodville all give birth to children. Margaret delivers a daughter, named Isabella, for her godmothers Isabella of Portugal and Elizabeth Woodville. Anne Neville has a son, Henry of Lancaster, in a very difficult labor. While a physician advises that the couple not try for another child, Edward ignores Anne and the physician, and Anne is once again pregnant as the year ends. Henry VI awakes from his stupor for two months to celebrate, but this is not permanent. Elizabeth delivers a daughter, named Margaret after her godmother, Margaret of York. Sadly, the baby is dead by the end of the year.
1473- Anne Neville, who is miserable in her marriage to the former Prince of Wales, delivers another child, named Margaret. Anne Neville secretly writes to Margaret of York, begging to return to England. Margaret writes to her brother, and, while King Edward is suspicious, a rescue of Anne and her infant daughter is arranged. The mission is surprisingly successful. Back in England, Edward IV has a second son in Prince Richard, who will be made Duke of York.
1474- Edward IV writes to the Pope, requesting an annulment of Anne Neville and Edward of Lancaster’s marriage. He brings up Anne Neville’s age, and, the Pope considers, but ultimately refuses. He arranges a marriage between his brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Margaret of Scotland. George, Duke of Clarence, brother to the King, kidnaps baby Margaret and her mother, intending to install himself as king, and betroth his newborn son to his Margaret of Lancaster. He creates a rebellion, and, after being captured, is privately murdered. Some say he was drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine. He is survived by his daughter Margaret, now his heir as his only son soon died, and his wife, who fled with their daughter to warn King Edward, and is thus rewarded handsomely. Isabella of Castile takes the Castilian throne as Isabella I, after the death of her brother, Enrique IV. She imprisons Enrique’s two daughters, Juana (b. 1462), and Maria (b. 1470), in a convent. To cap the year off, Margaret of York delivers Lady Joan of Burgundy.
