Cultural depictions of Edward IV of England
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Edward IV of England Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England ...
has been depicted in popular culture a number of times.


Literature


Plays

*The plays ''Henry VI, Part 2'', ''Henry VI, Part 3'', and ''Richard III'', by William Shakespeare. In ''Henry VI, Part 2'' Edward has a minor role. He comes in toward the end of the play to defend his father's claim to the English throne, and has only one line. In ''Henry VI, Part 3,'' Edward's role is heavily amplified and he has more lines than every character in the play besides Warwick. This play depicts Edward's rise to power, his marriage to the Lady Grey (history's
Elizabeth Woodville Elizabeth Woodville (also spelt Wydville, Wydeville, or Widvile;Although spelling of the family name is usually modernised to "Woodville", it was spelt "Wydeville" in contemporary publications by Caxton, but her tomb at St. George's Chapel, Wind ...
), his betrayal by Warwick, his deposition, and his subsequent return to power. The play ends with the birth of his eldest son. In ''Richard III,'' Edward, now sick, tries to reconcile his squabbling nobles and relatives to little avail. In the play and the 1955 film ''
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
'', Edward's brother Richard directly hastens Edward's death, by informing the already ailing king that one of his brothers,
George, Duke of Clarence George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence (21 October 144918 February 1478), was the 6th son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville, and the brother of English kings Edward IV and Richard III. He played an important role in th ...
is dead (Edward had revoked the order for Clarence's execution, but Richard has had Clarence secretly murdered). *The plays '' King Edward IV, Part 1'' and ''King Edward IV, Part 2'', by Thomas Heywood, a contemporary of Shakespeare's.


Novels

(In alphabetical order, excluding 'The') *''The Assassin's Wife'' by Moonyeen Blakey (Describes Edward's relationship with Eleanor Butler) *''Daughter of York'' by
Anne Easter Smith Anne Easter Smith is an English-American historical novelist known for her series of novels set in England in the 15th C. Biography Easter Smith grew up in England, Germany and Egypt. Her brother John Easter was England's No. 1 squash player ...
(The fictionalized story of his sister Margaret) *''The Founding'', Volume 1 of
The Morland Dynasty ''The Morland Dynasty'' is a series of historical novels by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, in the genre of a family saga. They recount the lives of the Morland family of York, England and their national and international relatives and associates. There a ...
, a series of historical novels by author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (born 13 August 1948) is a British writer of romance and mystery novels. She normally writes under her own name but also uses the pseudonyms Emma Woodhouse and Elizabeth Bennett. Cynthia was born on 13 August 1948 at Shepher ...
*''The Goldsmith's Wife'' by Jean Plaidy (A fictionalized story of his mistress Jane Shore) *''
House of Echoes A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condit ...
'' by
Barbara Erskine Barbara Erskine (born 10 August 1944) is an English novelist. She was born in Nottingham in 1944. Her father was World War II Battle of Britain flying ace Squadron Leader Nigel Rose. Erskine has a degree in medieval Scottish history from Univer ...
(Ghost story about a mansion that is haunted by the spirit of Edward IV among others) *''The Innocent'', ''The Exiled'' and ''The Beloved'' (released as ''The Uncrowned Queen'') by Australian novelist,
Posie Graeme-Evans Posie Graeme-Evans is an Australian novelist, television and film producer, editor, screenwriter and director. She is best known as the creator and showrunner of ''McLeod's Daughters'', the co-creator and co-producer of '' Hi-5'', producing and c ...
*''The Kings Grace'' by
Anne Easter Smith Anne Easter Smith is an English-American historical novelist known for her series of novels set in England in the 15th C. Biography Easter Smith grew up in England, Germany and Egypt. Her brother John Easter was England's No. 1 squash player ...
(Fictional portrayal of Edward's illegitimate daughter Grace) *''Kings of Albion'' by
Julian Rathbone Julian Christopher Rathbone (10 February 1935 – 28 February 2008) was an English novelist. Life Julian Rathbone was born in 1935 in Blackheath, south London. The son of Christopher and Decima Rathbone he was a member of the Rathbone family ...
*''Knight Errant'', ''Lady Robyn'', and ''White Rose'', a trilogy by R. Garcia y Robertson (Edward, Earl of March, falls in love with a woman who is a time-traveler from 21st century America) *''Mistress to the Crown'' by Isolde Martyn (The story of his mistress Jane Shore) *''Queen of Trial and Sorrow'' by Susan Appleyard (The story of
Elizabeth Woodville Elizabeth Woodville (also spelt Wydville, Wydeville, or Widvile;Although spelling of the family name is usually modernised to "Woodville", it was spelt "Wydeville" in contemporary publications by Caxton, but her tomb at St. George's Chapel, Wind ...
) *''The Raven and the Rose'', by
Virginia Henley Virginia Henley (née Virginia Syddall; born 5 December 1935 in Bolton, England), is a British writer of historical-romance novels. She is well known for her Medieval, Renaissance and other period piece romance novels. Biography Virginia Syd ...
(a fictional illegitimate child of Edward IV is the main character) *''The Red Rose of Anjou'' by Jean Plaidy (The life of Queen
Margaret of Anjou Margaret of Anjou (french: link=no, Marguerite; 23 March 1430 – 25 August 1482) was Queen of England and nominally Queen of France by marriage to King Henry VI from 1445 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. Born in the Duchy of Lorrain ...
) *''I,Richard Plantagenet'' by J.P. Reedman (Fictional portrayal of
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
life from childhood to Bosworth. Edward IV plays a prominent part throughout) *''
The Reluctant Queen ''The Reluctant Queen'' is a novel by historical novelist Jean Plaidy which tells the tale of Anne Neville, the wife of King Richard III of England. It weaves the tale of Anne's life told in first person. The book was published in the US as '' ...
'', by Jean Plaidy (a historical fiction novel from the point of view of Anne Neville, wife of
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
) *''Royal Mistress'' by
Anne Easter Smith Anne Easter Smith is an English-American historical novelist known for her series of novels set in England in the 15th C. Biography Easter Smith grew up in England, Germany and Egypt. Her brother John Easter was England's No. 1 squash player ...
(The story of his mistress Jane Shore) *''Sovereign'', by C. J. Sansom (Fictional account, set in England in 1541, in which Edward IV is actually the son of a Kentish archer.) *''The Sun in Splendour'' by Jean Plaidy (A fictionalized story about Edward IV's life) *''
The Sunne in Splendour ''The Sunne in Splendour'' is a historical novel written by Sharon Kay Penman. Penman became interested in the subject of Richard III while a student and wrote a manuscript that was stolen from her car. She rewrote the manuscript, which was pub ...
'', by Sharon Kay Penman (a historical fiction novel about the life of
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
) *''Secret Marriages'' by J.P. Reedman (Fictional portrayal of Edward's two secret marriages to Eleanor Talbot and
Elizabeth Woodville Elizabeth Woodville (also spelt Wydville, Wydeville, or Widvile;Although spelling of the family name is usually modernised to "Woodville", it was spelt "Wydeville" in contemporary publications by Caxton, but her tomb at St. George's Chapel, Wind ...
) * This Sun of York by Susan Appleyard. A look at Edward IV's rise to the throne. *''Thwarted Queen'' by Cynthia Sally Haggard (A fictionalized biography of his mother Cecily Neville) *''Wars of the Roses'', by Conn Iggulden (a historical fiction novel series about the Wars of the Roses) *''We Speak No Treason'', by Rosemary Hawley Jarman (a historical fiction novel about
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
as Duke of Gloucester) *'' The White Queen'', by
Philippa Gregory Philippa Gregory (born 9 January 1954) is an English historical novelist who has been publishing since 1987. The best known of her works is ''The Other Boleyn Girl'' (2001), which in 2002 won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award from the Roman ...
(a historical fiction novel from the point of view of Edward's wife,
Elizabeth Woodville Elizabeth Woodville (also spelt Wydville, Wydeville, or Widvile;Although spelling of the family name is usually modernised to "Woodville", it was spelt "Wydeville" in contemporary publications by Caxton, but her tomb at St. George's Chapel, Wind ...
*''Blood of Roses'' by J.P. Reedman (Fictional portrayal of Edward's victory at Mortimer's Cross and Towton)


Film and television

(In date order) Edward has been played on film and television by: * Alfred Brydone in the silent short ''Richard III'' (1911), dramatising a part of Shakespeare's play * Robert Gemp in the silent Shakespeare adaptation ''
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
'' (1912) *
Roy Travers Roy Travers (born 1883 in London) was a British actor. Travers appeared in a number of films (mostly directed by Kenelm Foss) made by Astra Films. He died in 1941. Selected filmography * '' East Lynne'' (1913) * ''Sixty Years a Queen'' (1913) * ...
in the silent film ''Jane Shore'' (1915), an adaptation of the play ''
The Tragedy of Jane Shore ''The Tragedy of Jane Shore'' is a 1714 historical tragedy by the British writer Nicholas Rowe. It was his penultimate play, and was inspired by the life of Jane Shore the mistress of Edward IV. It premiered at the Drury Lane Theatre in London ...
'' by Nicholas Rowe * Ian Hunter in '' Tower of London'' (1939), a horror film loosely dramatising the rise to power of Richard III * Cedric Hardwicke in ''
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
'', with
Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the Theatre of the U ...
. (Hardwicke was 62; Edward died at 40.) * Julian Glover in the BBC series '' An Age of Kings'' (1960), which contained all the history plays from ''Richard II'' to ''Richard III'' * Justice Watson in the remake of '' Tower of London'' (1962) *
Benno Sterzenbach Benno Sterzenbach (born 3 March 1916 Osnabrück - died 13 September 1985 Feldafing) was a German cinema and theatre actor and director. Biography His first major role on stage was ''Götz von Berlichingen'' at which he played next to Ellen S ...
in the West German TV version of Shakespeare's play ''König Richard III'' (1964) *
József Gáti Dr. József Gáti (1885, in Uzhhorod – 1945) was an ethnic Hungarian communist politician from Subcarpathian Rus'. Gáti lived in Užhorod. He held a doctorate in Fine Arts. Around 1910 he worked at the newspaper ''Határszéli Ujság'' ('Fronti ...
in ''III. Richárd'' (1973), a Hungarian version of the Shakespeare play * Brian Protheroe in the
BBC Shakespeare The ''BBC Television Shakespeare'' is a series of British television adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, the plays of William Shakespeare, created by Cedric Messina and broadcast by BBC Television. Transmitted in the UK from 3 December 1978 to ...
versions of ''Henry VI, Part 2'', ''Henry VI, Part 3'' and ''The Tragedy of Richard the Third'' (1983) *
Marc Betton Marc or MARC may refer to: People * Marc (given name), people with the first name * Marc (surname), people with the family name Acronyms * MARC standards, a data format used for library cataloging, * MARC Train, a regional commuter rail system o ...
in a French film version of ''Richard III'' (1986) * Roy Dotrice in the BBC series ''The Wars of the Roses'' (1989), which included all of Shakespeare's history plays performed by the
Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and produces around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, St ...
* John Wood in ''
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
'' (1995), with
Ian McKellen Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. His career spans seven decades, having performed in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Regarded as a British cultural i ...
as Richard * Harris Yulin in the film documentary ''
Looking for Richard ''Looking for Richard'' is a 1996 American documentary film directed by Al Pacino, in his directorial debut. It is a hybrid film, including both a filmed performance of selected scenes of William Shakespeare's '' Richard III'' and a documentary e ...
'' (1996) * John Rackham in ''Richard III'' (2005), a modernised version set on a
Brighton Brighton () is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze A ...
housing estate * Walter Williamson in ''
Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...
'' (2007), a modern-day version * Max Irons in the BBC drama series ''The White Queen'' (2013) * Geoffrey Streatfeild in the BBC Shakespearian series '' The Hollow Crown'' (2016)


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edward 04 Of England, Cultural Depictions Of
Edward IV Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England ...
Edward IV Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England ...
Edward IV