Edward IV of England - Issue

Issue

Edward IV had ten legitimate children by Elizabeth Woodville, seven of whom survived him. They were declared illegitimate by Parliament in 1483, clearing the way for Richard III to become King.

  • Elizabeth of York, queen consort to Henry VII of England (11 February 1466 – 11 February 1503).
  • Mary of York (11 August 1467 – 23 May 1482).
  • Cecily of York (20 March 1469 – 24 August 1507); married first John Welles, 1st Viscount Welles and second Thomas Kyme or Keme.
  • Edward (4 November 1470 – 1483?); briefly succeeded his father, as King Edward V of England. Was the elder of the Princes in the Tower.
  • Margaret of York (10 April 1472 – 11 December 1472).
  • Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York (17 August 1473 – 1483?). Was the younger of the Princes in the Tower.
  • Anne of York, Countess of Surrey (2 November 1475 – 23 November 1511); married Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.
  • George Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford (March 1477 – March 1479).
  • Catherine of York (14 August 1479 – 15 November 1527); married William Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon.
  • Bridget of York (10 November 1480 – 1517); became a nun.

Edward had numerous mistresses. The best known was Elizabeth Shore, called Jane Shore.

He reportedly had several illegitimate children:

  • By Elizabeth Lucy or Elizabeth Waite.
    • Elizabeth Plantagenet (born circa 1464), married Sir Thomas Lumley in 1477.
    • Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle (1460s/1470s – 3 March 1542).
  • By unknown mothers. Recent speculations suggests them as children by Lucy or Waite.
    • Grace Plantagenet. She is known to have been present at the funeral of her stepmother Elizabeth Woodville in 1492.
    • Mary Plantagenet, married Henry Harman of Ellam, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Harman and widower of certain Agnes.
    • A daughter said to have been the first wife of John Tuchet, 6th Baron Audley.

Perkin Warbeck, an impostor claimant to the English throne, who claimed to be Edward's son Richard of Shrewsbury, reportedly resembled Edward. There is unconfirmed speculation that Warbeck could have been another of Edward's illegitimate sons.

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