Edward IV of England was a key figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the English throne. Born on April 28, 1442, he became the first king from the House of York after defeating Henry VI at the Battle of Towton in 1461. His reign marked a period of relative stability and prosperity in England. Edward IV was known for his charismatic personality and military prowess. He ruled until 1483, with a brief interruption during which Edward V, his son, was briefly king. Edward IV's legacy includes strengthening the monarchy and establishing the Tudor dynasty through his daughter’s marriage to Henry VII.