‘The domestic policies of Edward IV's second reign was more successful than his first’ Do you agree with this statement

Edward VI's’ domestic policies were far more successful in his first reign than his second, as most of his successful policies devised in his first reign lasted till his second. The conciliation policy that Edward devised is an example where the achievement of his first reign had a successful effect on his second reign. After the Battle of Towton (1461), Edward decided to attain only fourteen of the Lancastrian nobles, and for the nobles who had died in the battle, he ensured that their heirs secured their inheritance. This policy showed that Edward was keen on creating a united England, which would have been a clear change since the first battle of the War of the Roses: the First Battle of St. Albans (1455), which caused huge division throughout England. The policy obviously worked at uniting England, as there was no major fighting till 1471. Another successful effect of this policy can be clearly seen when Edward tried to regain the throne for a second time in 1471. Henry Percy, the Duke of Northumberland, had his father’s titles and lands restored to him through Edward’s conciliation policy, and due to his fair treatment, allowed Edward IV a safe passage into England. This shows success as the effect of the policy lasted way after Edward’s first reign, as well as giving him the chance to re-take the throne. If Edward IV had been harsher to the Lancastrians, he might not have gained support to retake the throne. Although, it could be argued that in Edward’s second reign, the calm and peaceful relationship Edward had with his Lancastrian nobles showed a certain amount of success, it is important to remember that the threat of a Lancastrian uprising was far less probable. Both Henry VI and his son and heir Edward had died in 1471. With these two central Lancastrian figures gone the chances of a Lancastrian uprising were greatly minimised due to the fact that the two strongest claims to the throne had died and thus could not be used as a figurehead for rebellion. Therefore, although Edward’s relationship with his nobles was successful in both reigns, the foundation of this success happened in his first reign and merely carried on into his second.
The finances of his domestic reforms were also hugely successful in his first reign and this success carried on into his second reign. In his first reign, Edward proved to be capable at exploiting his royal estates more thoroughly as he assigned capable administrators who ensured all revenues were paid to the crown. This change was incredibly dramatic, as in the old system the lands were farmed at a fixed rate and therefore income was lower. This course of action was incredibly innovative of Edward IV as it gave the Crown greater revenue but also carried into his second reign. Similarly, Edward developed a new chamber system which curtailed the embezzlement of the Crown which also lasted into his second reign. Another of the financial reforms he undertook was to reduce the costs of his household, in order to help cope with the economic recession. Although this might have seen like an obvious move, Henry VI was notorious for excessive spending on members of his court. For that reason, Edward’s more conservative household policy was a success as it was an improvement from the previous King. It could be argued that Edward’s request for two taxes for Wars that never happened was unsuccessful as it angered the taxpayers. However, taxpayers were rarely happy with the demands of the King, like in Henry VI’s reign with Cade’s Rebellion. There were financial successes in Edward’s second reign, like the chamber system of finance, however this approach had already been taken in his first reign and so therefore this success should not be included in the achievements of his second reign. Another of Edward’s economic achievements in his second reign was an increase in custom duties to 35,000 pounds a year. However, this was largely due to the improvement in trade in northern Europe as the slump that overshadowed Henry VI’s reign came to an end, meaning Edward was very lucky. The fact that in Edward IV’s second reign so many of his reforms in his first reign were kept on, shows that his first reign was far more successful than his second.