How did Edward, earl of March, become King Edward IV?

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Wars of the Roses Illustration depicting the Battle of Bosworth Field, with King Richard III on the white horse.

Edward, Earl of March, became King Edward IV following the death of his father, Richard, 3rd duke of York, in December 1460 during the Wars of the Roses.12

After his father was killed at the Battle of Wakefield, Edward assumed leadership of the Yorkist cause. He successfully defeated Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross and subsequently joined forces with Richard Neville, the earl of Warwick after the latter's defeat at the Second Battle of St. Albans.123

Edward and Warwick entered London unopposed, where Edward was proclaimed king on March 4, 1461. His position was further solidified later that month following a decisive victory over the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton. He was formally crowned on June 28, 1461.324