Margaret compensated this defeat by a victory which she obtained over the Earl of Warwick.  That nobleman, on the approach of the Lancastrians, led out his army, reenforced by a strong body of the Londoners, who were affectionate to his cause; and he gave battle to the Queen at St. Albans.  While the armies were warmly engaged, Lovelace, who commanded a considerable body of the Yorkists, withdrew from the combat; and this treacherous conduct decided the victory in favor of the Queen.  The person of the King fell again into the hands of his own party.  Lord Bonville, to whose care he had been intrusted by the Yorkists, remained with him after the defeat, on assurances of pardon given him by Henry; but Margaret, regardless of her husband’s promise, immediately ordered the head of that nobleman to be struck off by the executioner.  Sir Thomas Kiriel, a brave warrior, who had signalized himself in the French wars, was treated in the same manner.

The Queen made no great advantage of this victory.  Young Edward advanced upon her from the other side, and, collecting the remains of Warwick’s army, was soon in a condition of giving her battle with superior forces.  She found it necessary to retreat to the north.  Edward entered the capital amid the acclamations of the citizens, and immediately opened a new scene to his party.  This Prince, in the bloom of youth, remarkable for the beauty of his person, for his bravery, his activity, his affability, and every popular quality, found himself so much possessed of public favor that, elated with the spirit natural to his age, he resolved no longer to confine himself within those narrow limits which his father had prescribed to himself, and which had been found by experience so prejudicial to his cause.  He determined to assume the name and dignity of king, to insist openly on his claim, and thenceforth to treat the opposite party as traitors and rebels to his lawful authority.  His army was ordered to assemble in St. John’s Fields, and great numbers of people surrounded them.  They were asked whether they would have Henry of Lancaster for king.  They unanimously exclaimed against the proposal It was then demanded whether they would accept of Edward, eldest son of the late Duke of York.  They expressed their assent by loud and joyful acclamations.  A great number of bishops, lords, magistrates, and other persons of distinction were next assembled at Baynard’s castle, who ratified the popular election; and the new king was on the subsequent day proclaimed in London by the title of Edward IV.

In this manner ended the reign of Henry VI, a monarch who while in his cradle had been proclaimed king both of France and England, and who began his life with the most splendid prospects that any prince in Europe had ever enjoyed.