Richard III of England - Reign of Edward IV

Reign of Edward IV

During the reign of Edward IV, Richard demonstrated his loyalty and skill as a military commander. He was rewarded with large estates in northern England, and appointed Governor of the North, becoming the richest and most powerful noble in England. On 17 October 1469, he was made Constable of England. In November he replaced William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings as Chief Justice of North Wales. The following year, he was appointed Chief Steward and Chamberlain of Wales. On 18 May 1471, Richard was named Great Chamberlain and Lord High Admiral of England. Other positions followed: High Sheriff of Cumberland for life, Lieutenant of the North and Commander-in Chief against the Scots and hereditary Warden of the West Marches. In contrast, their other surviving brother, George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, fell out with Edward and was executed for treason.

Richard controlled the north of England until Edward IV's death. There, and especially in the city of York, he was regarded with much love and affection. He raised the churches at Middleham and Barnard Castle to collegiate status. In 1482, Richard recaptured Berwick-upon-Tweed from the Kingdom of Scotland, the last time that the Royal Burgh would change hands between the two realms.