Editing Edward IV (section)

== Birth and ancestry ==
Edward was born on 28 April 1442 at [[Rouen]] in [[Normandy]], eldest surviving son of [[Richard, 3rd Duke of York]], and [[Cecily Neville]].{{Sfn|Penn|2019|p=8}} Until his father's death, he was known as the [[Earl of March]].{{Sfn|Ross|1974|p=14}} Both his parents were direct descendants of [[King Edward III]], giving Edward a potential claim to the throne. This was strengthened in 1447, when York became heir to the childless [[King Henry VI]] on the death of [[Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester]].{{Sfn|Ross|1974|pp=3–7}}{{Efn|Henry's grandfather was [[Henry IV of England]], whose father [[John of Gaunt]] was [[Edward III]]'s third surviving son. Henry IV had deposed [[Richard II]] from the senior line. The Duke of York's claim derived from Edward III's fourth son, [[Edmund, 1st Duke of York]], but his mother [[Anne de Mortimer]] was the senior descendant of Edward III's second son, [[Lionel of Antwerp]]. By modern standards, York was the senior heir, although this was less clear at the time. In practical terms, it meant both he and Edward had a legitimate claim to the throne.{{Sfn|Ross|1974|pp=3–7}}}}

Allegations of illegitimacy were discounted at the time as politically inspired, and by later historians.{{Sfn|Wilson}}{{Efn|A 2004 [[Britain's Real Monarch|television documentary]] that supported these claims was subsequently discredited.{{Sfn|Wilson}}}} Edward and his siblings [[George, Duke of Clarence]], and [[Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy]], were physically very similar, all three being tall and blonde, in contrast to their father, the Duke of York, who was short and dark.{{Sfn|Crawford|2008|pp=173–178}} His youngest brother, who later became [[King Richard III]], closely resembled their father.{{Sfn|Penn|2019|pp=504–505}}{{Efn|When [[Richard III]] declared his nephews illegitimate in 1483, he did so on the grounds Edward's marriage to their mother was invalid.{{Sfn|Penn|2019|pp=504–505}}}}