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Edward IV's ReinstatementEdward was now living as an awkward guest at the court of the Duke of Burgundy, but he was making plans to invade England and win back his crown. In March 1471 he invaded England landing at Ravenspur, and headed to Coventry to meet Warwick, hoping to gather supporters on the way. Warwick was waiting for troop reinforcements and refused to do battle with Edward. Those troops, under the Clarence would never arrive. Clarence, dissatisfied with his role in Warwick's plan, changed sides.The capital was now Edward's goal. He marched to London and entered with little difficulty. He went to Westminster and had Archbishop Bourchier place the crown on his head to symbolise his restoration. He had Henry VI returned to the Tower and had his wife, who had given birth to a son in his absence, and family removed from sanctuary. After spending only two days in London, Edward marched north with his army. On 14 April the two sides met at Barnet. The day of the battle was so misty that neither side was fully aware of the other's position. The blazing star livery badge worn by Oxford's (Lancastrian) troops was mistaken for the Sun in Splendour of the Yorkists and were fired on by their allies. Panic broke out as people supposed treason. Lancastrian morale was shattered. In the ensuing rout both Montagu and Warwick were killed. The night before Barnet, Margaret and Edward Prince of Wales had landed at Weymouth. On hearing the news of the defeat they were unsure what to do, but decided to head inland to link up with Jasper Tudor, trying to raise support as they went. Edward raised a large army and went after Margaret. Edward pursued the Lancastrians until they finally caught up at Tewkesbury, where Margaret's army was attempting to cross the Severn into Wales. The following morning 4 May 1471, the two armies met. The battle was a decisive victory for the Yorkists, Not only did they win the day, but during the fighting, Edward Prince of Wales was killed. The only surviving male descendent of the house of Lancaster was Henry VI, still in the Tower. By the end of the month, he was found dead, almost certainly murdered on Edward's orders for reasons of dynastic security. The house of Lancaster had been all but destroyed and now Edward had a male heir to his dynasty. Edward's future and that of the house of York seemed secure.
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