Difficulties With Understanding Family Trees For Houses Of York And Lancaster

[Tarser]

I've been reading Alison Weir's book 'Lancaster & York: The War of the Roses, finding it quite difficult to follow. I've looked at the family trees in the back of the book and have worked out most of it. I am however, still confused about something.

Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou had Edward (of Lancaster). Is this Edward IV or a different Edward?

Richard Plantagenet (Duke of York) convinced the authorities that he was rightfully king and they agreed that he would take the throne when Henry VI died. This is where I start to lose the plot....What happens from here?

Does Henry's son, Edward take the throne as Henry's offspring? Or is Richard's son a different Edward who becomes king? If Richard Platagenet is the next king, Henry VI's son, Henry's son, Edward surely wouldn't be king at all?...

Whose children (Edward and Richard) get taken to the Tower of London and disappear? Everything unravels here as the tree isn't that clear in the book. Can someone put me straight? Thanks!

[Haggisdj]

Hi, Henry VI and Margret's son Edward was Prince of Wales and was killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Edward IV was the son of Richard of York who deposed Henry VI and became king.

[Haggisdj]

When Edward IV dies his young son becomes Edward V but before his coronation Edward IV's brother Richard takes them to the Tower. When they disappear Richard becomes Richard III.

This is quite an abridged, and hopefully acurate, version of the time. If you get a chance watch the BBC drama The White Queen. It's all in there.

[Tarser]

Thanks Haggisdj. I understand now about the two Edwards'. I have watched the first episode of 'The White Queen' as you suggested and was immediately confused again! King Edward marries Elizabeth Grey in the programme but the Alison Weir book shows that it's Elizabeth Woodville that he marries, so does any internet search. Why is she 'Grey' in this dramatization?

[Messalina]

She was married to John Grey of Groby first for about 10 years. he died at the second battle of St Albans leaving her with two young sons.

[Tarser]

Thanks, Messalina. I get that now but it is real tangle! The drama seems to assume the viewer to be an expert historian!

I would like to know why Elizabeth Woodville, queen of England hasn't gone down in history as Elizabeth 1

[Jackdaw33]

Queen consorts are not numbered,only ruling queens.

[jno]

only kings and queens in their own right get numbers. Ones who just marry kings and queens don't. The exceptions are William III married to Mary II and I think Philip of Spain when he was married to Mary I.

[Messalina]

Jno, Philip was only ever Mary's consort. He was never crowned, much to his annoyance, as that would have given him precedence over Mary.