Introduction
The fate of the “Princes in the Tower” remains one of the most enduring and chilling mysteries of English history. Edward V, the young king, and his younger brother Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, disappeared from the Tower of London in 1483, never to be seen again. For centuries, suspicion has fallen on their uncle, King Richard III, who ascended the throne shortly before their disappearance.
But did Richard III actually order the murder of his nephews? Or were other forces at play in this dark chapter of the Wars of the Roses? This article explores the historical evidence, contemporary accounts, political context, and historiographical debates surrounding this notorious question.
The Historical Context: England in 1483
The Wars of the Roses
- A dynastic civil war between the houses of York and Lancaster.
- Richard III was a key Yorkist figure, brother to King Edward IV.
Edward IV’s Death and the Succession Crisis
- Edward IV died unexpectedly in April 1483.
- His son Edward V, aged 12, was to succeed but was still a minor.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was named Protector. shutdown123