History of the English line of succession Wars of the Roses, Henry VI was forcibly deposed by his third cousin twice removed, Edward, Duke of York, who became Edward IV. On the day of Edward IV's deposition, 3 October 1470, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was; However, Edward IV was deposed, and the throne was restored to Henry VI, the previous monarch, during the period known as the Readeption of Henry VI. On the day of Henry VI's second deposition, 11 April 1471, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was: However, the English nobility again became frustrated with Henry's inability to rule competently, and
Edward IV of England Edward IV of England Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was the King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England. The first half of his rule was marred by the violence associated with the Wars of the Roses, but he overcame the Lancastrian challenge to the throne at Tewkesbury in 1471 to reign in peace until his sudden death. Before becoming king, he was Duke of York, Earl of March, Earl of Cambridge and Earl of Ulster.