The Princes in the Tower: The Unsolved Mystery of Two Missing Heirs to the English Throne

The Princes in the Tower is one of the most enduring mysteries in English history. Two young princes, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, disappeared from the Tower of London in 1483. Their fate has never been determined, and their story has been the subject of much speculation and intrigue.

The Princes in the Tower

by Alison Weir

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5645 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	371 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled

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Edward V was born on November 4, 1470, to King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. He became king at the age of 12, following the death of his father in 1483. Richard of Shrewsbury, Edward V's younger brother, was born on August 17, 1473. He was created Duke of York in 1474.

In April 1483, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury were sent to the Tower of London. The Tower was a royal palace and prison, and it was common for young princes to be sent there for their safety. However, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury were never seen again.

There are many theories about what happened to the princes. One theory is that they were murdered by their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Richard became king after Edward V's death, and he is often portrayed as a ruthless and ambitious man. However, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Richard murdered the princes.

Another theory is that the princes were smuggled out of the Tower and sent to live in hiding. This theory is based on the fact that there were several sightings of the princes after their disappearance. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this theory either.

The mystery of the Princes in the Tower has never been solved. It is one of the most fascinating and enduring mysteries in English history, and it continues to intrigue people to this day.

The Evidence

There is very little concrete evidence about what happened to the Princes in the Tower. The only physical evidence is a set of bones that were found in the Tower in 1674. The bones were said to be the remains of the princes, but this has never been proven.

There is also some documentary evidence that sheds light on the case. One document, known as the Croyland Chronicle, states that the princes were murdered in the Tower by order of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. However, the Croyland Chronicle is not a reliable source, and it is possible that the author was simply repeating rumors.

Another document, known as the Historie of Richard III, states that the princes were murdered by Sir James Tyrell, a close associate of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. However, the Historie of Richard III is also not a reliable source, and it is possible that the author was simply trying to discredit Richard.

Theories

There are many theories about what happened to the Princes in the Tower. Some of the most common theories include:

• The princes were murdered by Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
• The princes were smuggled out of the Tower and sent to live in hiding.
• The princes died of natural causes.
• The princes escaped from the Tower and lived out their lives in obscurity.

There is no conclusive evidence to support any of these theories. The mystery of the Princes in the Tower is one of the most enduring mysteries in English history, and it is likely to remain unsolved for many years to come.

The Impact of the Princes in the Tower

The disappearance of the Princes in the Tower had a significant impact on English history. Edward V's death left the throne vacant, and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, became king. Richard's reign was short-lived, and he was killed in battle in 1485. Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, then became king and founded the Tudor dynasty.

The mystery of the Princes in the Tower has also had a significant impact on English literature and culture. The princes have been the subject of numerous plays, novels, and films. They have also been featured in many works of art.

The Princes in the Tower is one of the most enduring mysteries in English history. Two young princes, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, disappeared from the Tower of London in 1483. Their fate has never been determined, and their story has been the subject of much speculation and intrigue.

There are many theories about what happened to the princes, but there is no conclusive evidence to support any of them. The mystery of the Princes in the Tower is likely to remain unsolved for many years to come.

However, the mystery of the Princes in the Tower continues to fascinate people to this day. It is a story of intrigue, murder, and mystery that has captured the imagination of generations.

The Princes in the Tower

by Alison Weir

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5645 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	371 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled

FREE