Louis XI of France, who wishes to forestall a hostile alliance between Edward and Edward's brother-in-law Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, suggests the idea of an alliance between Warwick and Margaret.

Neither of those two formerly mortal enemies entertain the notion at first, but eventually they are brought round to realize the potential benefits.

However, both are undoubtedly hoping for different outcomes: Warwick for a puppet king in the form of Henry VI or his young son; Margaret to be able to reclaim her family's realm.

In any case, a marriage is arranged between Warwick's daughter Anne and Margaret's son Edward of Westminster, and in the autumn of 1470 Warwick invades England.

Edward IV had already marched north to suppress another uprising in Yorkshire.

Warwick, with help from a fleet under his nephew, the Bastard of Fauconberg, lands at Dartmouth and rapidly secures support from the southern counties and ports.

He occupies London in October, freeing the imprisoned Henry VI, and parades him through the streets of London as the restored king.

Warwick's brother John Neville, who had recently received the empty title Marquess of Montagu and who has led large armies in the Scottish marches, suddenly defects to Warwick.

Edward is unprepared for this event and has to order his army to scatter.

He and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, flee from Doncaster to the coast, and thence to Holland and exile in Burgundy.

They are proclaimed traitors, and many exiled Lancastrians, such as the Percys, return to reclaim their estates.

Warwick's position nevertheless remains precarious.

His alliance with Louis of France and his intention to declare war on Burgundy is contrary to the interests of the merchants, as it threatens English trade with Flanders and the Netherlands.

Clarence has long been excluded from Warwick's calculations.

Parliament in November 1470 declares that Prince Edward and his descendants are Henry's heirs to the throne; Clarence will become King only if the Lancastrian line of succession fails.

Unknown to Warwick, Clarence secretly becomes reconciled with his brother, King Edward.

Warwick's success is short-lived: he overreaches himself with his plan to invade Burgundy in alliance with the King of France, tempted by King Louis' promise of territory in the Netherlands as a reward.

With Warwick in power in England, it is Charles of Burgundy's turn to fear a hostile alliance of England and France.

As an obvious counter to Warwick, he supplies King Edward with money (fifty thousand florins), ships and several hundred men (including handgunners).

Edward sets sail from Flushing on March 11, 1471 with thirty-six ships and twelve hundred men.

He touches briefly on the English coast at Cromer but finds that the Duke of Norfolk, who might have supported him, is away from the area and that Warwick controls this part of the country.

Instead, his ships make for Ravenspurn on the Yorkshire coast, near the mouth of the River Humber, where Henry Bolingbroke had landed in 1399 on his way to reclaim the Duchy of Lancaster and ultimately depose Richard II.

Edward's landing is inauspicious at first; the ships are scattered by bad weather and his men land on March 14 in small detachments over a wide area.

The port of Kingston-upon-Hull refuses to allow Edward to enter, so he makes for York.

initially claiming rather like Bolingbroke that he is seeking only the restoration of the Duchy of York.

He soon gains the city of York and rallies several supporters.

He now begins to march south.

Near Pontefract Castle he evades the troops of Warwick's brother Montagu.

By the time Edward reaches the city of Warwick, he has gathered enough supporters to proclaim himself King again.

The Earl of Warwick sends urgent requests for Queen Margaret, who is gathering fresh forces in France, to join him in England.

He himself is at Coventry, preparing to bar Edward's way to London, while Montagu hastens up behind the King's army.

Edward however, knows that Clarence is ready to turn his coat once again and betray Warwick, his father-in-law.

He marches rapidly west and joins with Clarence's men, who are approaching from Gloucestershire.

Clarence appeals to Warwick to surrender, but Warwick refuses to even speak to him.

Edward's army makes rapidly for London, pursued by Warwick and Montagu.

London is supposedly defended by the 4th Duke of Somerset, but he is absent and the city readily admits Edward.

The unfortunate and by now feeble Henry VI is sent back to the Tower of London.

Edward then turns about to face Warwick's approaching army.

They meet on April 14 at the Battle of Barnet.

In a confused fight in thick fog, some of Warwick's army attack each other by mistake and at the cries of "Treachery!"

his army disintegrates and is routed.

Montagu dies in the battle, and Warwick is cut down trying to reach his horse to escape.