The Edward Poster is a Genealogical Chart commissioned in the early part of the first reign of King Edward IV. It bears similarities to the Edward Roll which was produced for use at Edward’s Coronation. Dating from 1461-2 the Edward Poster is an excellent example of the way in which the first Yorkist King chose to portray his lineage, right, and legitimacy.
Edward IV and Genealogical Rolls
The Edward Poster, below, was produced shortly after the accession of Edward IV. It utilises visual storytelling along with a genealogical roll which illustrates the argument that King Henry IV had stolen the crown from its rightful holder and his legitimate heirs. It is not the only example of Edward IV’s regime being legitimised through visual aids. For his coronation in 1461 a Genealogical table was produced. Known as the Edward Roll, it shows the Yorkist Kings lineage with references made to legends and biblical stories. The Edward Roll is covered on our sister site here. An educational resource about the genealogical roll can be found here.
The Edward Poster: Typological life and genealogy of Edward IV
The images below are from the British Library archive, Shelfmark Harley 7353, England, 1460 – c. 1470. Captions used below are those assigned to each segment by the British Library. These are a little repetitive but are part of the image licence terms so are shown in full.
Academic Interpretation of the Edward Poster
An interpretation of the Edward Poster, ‘The Typological life and genealogy of Edward IV‘ has been undertaken with reference to other examples from the period by Sonja Drimmer. Sonja’s paper from the Harlaxton Series includes a comprehensive translation of the content of each section of the work. This translation is probably the most reliable that has yet been produced. Sonja’s paper is at: A Political Poster in Late Medieval England: British Library, Harley MS 7353. The translation is contained as an Appendix at the end of the article.
Upper Section of the Edward Poster
Scenes from the life of Henry IV.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Lower Section of the Edward Poster
Scenes from the life of Edward IV, with a genealogical tree.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Details from the Edward Poster
Top Left of the Edward Poster
A queen holding a child. A priest and crowd of people, including knights. A symbol of the Sun and the Moon.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Top Right of the Edward Poster
King Edward IV on Fortune’s Wheel, flanked by the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester and representatives of the Church and Army.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Left Panel of the Second Row of the Edward Poster
An army gathered outside the walls of a city. An image of an angel flying over the walls.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Right Panel of the Second Row of the Edward Poster
Edward of York leads his army into battle.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Left Panel of the Third Row of the Edward Poster
A biblical scene.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Right Panel, Third Row: Mortimer’s Cross
Battle of Mortimer’s Cross. Edward of York (afterwards King Edward IV), encouraged by a vision of three suns joining to form one, defeats the Lancastrians at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Left Panel, Fourth Row of the Edward Poster
Scene from the life of Edward IV.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Right Panel, Fourth Row of the Edward Poster: Battle of Northampton
King Henry VI taken captive after the battle of Northampton in 1460 by Edward of York (afterwards King Edward IV) and the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Left Panel, Fifth Row of the Typological life and genealogy of Edward IV
Scene from the life of Edward IV.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Right Panel, Fifth Row of the Edward Poster
Edward of York (afterwards King Edward IV), together with the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick set sail for Calais, following the Battle of Ludford Bridge. King Henry VI looks on in triumph.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
Bottom Panel: Henry IV cutting Richard II from the Family Tree
King Henry IV of England, in armour and wearing crown, wielding his sword so as to cut Richard II from the Plantagenet family tree.,Five pairs of large miniatures in colours, pairing an event of Edward’s career on the right with its biblical type or precedent on the left, including an allegorical representation of Edward’s success and the fulfilment of all prophecies and below, genealogical tree of Edward IV including kings in the form of a tree of Jesse, with Henry III reclining at the bottom and Edward IV and Henry VI emerging as opponents at the top. Dimensions in mm 1750 x 535. Parchment roll
