Hello everyone and welcome to the history of England episode 185 Edward the King.

First of all just to remind you that I am a proud member of the Agora Podcast Network,

a group of independent minded folk who like a bit of a cast now and then.

You can find out more at agorapodcastnetwork.com.

This month our featured podcast is The China History Podcast by Christyud, 5,000 years in 30

minute chunks.

You can find Chris at thehistureofChina.wordpress.com.

This week then I propose that we look at domestic politics during the second half of the

reign of Edward IV if that's okay with you.

We've gone sort of thematic have we not, but we're jumping ahead with the execution

of Clarence and the wars with France and Scotland.

When I say we, I mean of course in the words of the great bard, Led Zepp, nobody's fault

but mine.

He's an odd figure to deal with is our Edward IV, he's quite contradictory.

And the tempting thing to do is to treat his report card a bit like the kid at school

that clearly has loads of talents but just won't apply themselves.

So I bring to your attention ladies and gentlemen the jury, I bring to your attention the

curious combination of energy and apathy in the civil wars, the enormous energy of 1461

and 1471, the lumpenness of 1470.

I bring to your attention the French war, massive preparation, big army, but allowed

himself to be distracted and turned aside for a handful of gold.

Quite a big handful it has to be said but nonetheless how much more toldering than the gold of

...