Editing Battle of Barnet (section)

===Yorkist===
Edward IV was normally at the forefront of his armies. Standing {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}}, he was an inspiring figure in combat, attacking foes while wearing a suit of gilded armour. Medieval texts describe the King as handsome, finely muscled and with a broad chest.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|p=10}} He was personable and charismatic, easily winning people to his cause. Edward was a capable tactician and leader in battles. He frequently spotted and exploited defensive frailties in enemy lines, often with decisive results.{{Sfn|Gravett|2003|p=20}} By 1471 the young king was a highly respected field commander.{{Sfn|Goodman|1990|p=77}} He received some criticism, however; after winning the throne in 1461, he proved indecisive about putting down rebellions.{{Sfn|Gravett|2003|p=20}} Historian [[Charles Ross (historian)|Charles Ross]] praises Edward's leadership and skill in close combat rather than his strategies and tactics.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|p=176}} 

With his good looks and capable leadership, Edward was popular among the common people, especially compared to Henry VI.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|pp=9–11}} His trade policies, which aimed to expand and protect markets for English commerce, pleased local merchants, who were also won over by the Yorkist king's personality.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|pp=353–360}} By 1469 Edward's groundswell of popular support had eroded. The euphoria of a change in government had ebbed and the people blamed Edward for failing to "bring the realm of England in[to] great popularity and rest" and allowing Yorkist nobles to go unpunished for abuses.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|pp=124–125}} When Edward invaded England in 1471, not many common people openly celebrated his return.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|p=158}}

Edward was joined at Barnet by his brothers, [[Richard III of England|Richard, Duke of Gloucester]], and [[George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence|George, Duke of Clarence]]. Unlike his eldest brother, Gloucester was slender and seemingly delicate.{{Sfn|Ross|1999|p=139}} He was 18 years old at the Battle of Barnet, his first major engagement. His military prowess, however, was well respected; many historians judge him a capable warrior and military leader.{{Sfn|Gravett|2003|p=20}} Clarence was not as well regarded as his brothers, especially in matters of loyalty. When Edward became king, Clarence became his heir; however, Edward's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville threatened to displace the Duke in the line of succession to the throne.{{Sfn|Ross|1999|p=13}} Hence, Clarence participated in Warwick's schemes, marrying the Earl's daughter [[Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence|Isabel]], believing he could gain his brother's throne. Clarence lost faith in the Earl when Warwick defected to the Lancastrians and married off his other daughter, [[Anne Neville|Anne]], to their prince in order to cement his new allegiance. When Edward launched his campaign to retake England, Clarence accepted his brother's offer of pardon and rejoined the Yorkists at Coventry on 2 April 1471.{{Sfn|Royle|2008|pp=227–228}} The last of the Yorkist commanders was [[William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings|William, Lord Hastings]], a loyal subject since the start of the wars. Hastings had accompanied the young king in exile and supported his return. The courtier was rewarded for his faithfulness, gaining the [[lieutenancy of Calais]] in 1471 and becoming Edward's lord chamberlain and primary confidant.{{Sfn|Richmond|2000|pp=144, 146}}