The personal rule of Edward IV and the political impact of his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville
After winning the crown in 1461, Edward IV ruled England directly. His secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, a widow with no royal blood, angered powerful nobles and destabilised his reign.
Real World
Edward's secret 1464 marriage to Elizabeth Woodville backfired politically in the same way a CEO bypassing the board to make a unilateral decision would: Warwick — who had been negotiating a French royal match on Edward's behalf — was publicly humiliated and began to reconsider his loyalty.
Exam Focus
Link the Woodville marriage directly to Warwick's later rebellion — establishing causation across learning points earns higher analytical marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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