HISTORICAL MYSTERIES
THE PRINCES
IN THE TOWER
A royal disappearance that became one of
English’s greatest historical mysteries.
1483
Tower of London,
England
Edward V & Richard, Duke of York
HISTORICAL MYSTERIES
THE PRINCES
IN THE TOWER
A royal disappearance that became one of English’s greatest historical mysteries.
1483
Tower of London,
England
Edward V & Richard
QUICK FACTS
Edward V
Born in 1470, King from 1483, age 12.
Richard, Duke of York
Born in 1473, age 9 in 1483.
Tower of London
Both boys were taken to tower in 1483.
In teh year 1483
The boys disappeared from public view in summer of 1483.
Fate Unknown
No definitive evidence establishes what happened to them.
THE TOWER OF LONDON
A royal fortress with a dark and enduring history-and the final known location of the two young princes.
BACKGROUND
Edward V , the eldest son of Edward IV, became king of England in 1483 at the age of 12, while his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, was 9 at that time.
Their father died unexpectedly on 9 April 1483, leaving Edward as king. However, their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester – later Richard III – took control of the government and brought the princes to the tower of London.
Edward V , the eldest son of Edward IV, became king of England in 1483 at the age of 12, while his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, was 9 at that time.Their father died unexpectedly on 9 April 1483, leaving Edward as king. However, their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester – later Richard III – took control of the government and brought the princes to the tower of London.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
9 APRIL
1483
Edward IV dies, leaving his son Edward as king.
APRIL
1483
Edward travels toward London and is intercepted by his uncle Richard.
MAY
1483
Edward reaches the Tower and is placed in its care.
JUNE
1483
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, brings his brother to the Tower.
JUNE
1483
Parliament questions the princes' legitimacy.
16 JUNE
1483
The princes are reportedly seen playing in the Tower's garden-their last sighting.
6 JULY
1483
Richard III is crowned king on 6 July, 1483.
LATER IN 1483
The princes disappear from public view. What happened afterwards remains uncertain.
KEY EVIDENCE
CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTS
Accounts from the period, including those of Dominic Mancini describe the princes becoming increasingly unseen.
THE TOWER
OF LONDON
Contemporary records confrim the boys were housed in the tower in the year 1483.
1674 SKELETON
DISCOVERY
Two children's skeletons were found at the Tower during demolition work happened in 1674.
LATER HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS
Thomas More's account, written decades later, accused Richard III - but he was not an eyewitness.
HISTORICAL investigation
INVESTIGATION OVER THE YEARS
Historians have examined royal records, chronicles and archaeological evidence for centuries to try to uncover what happened to the princes. The 1674 discovery of two children's skeletons was one of the most significant development even though their exact location remains debated.
CURRENT STATUS
UNSOLVED
The historical record does not provide a
definitive explanation of what happened
to the two princes whose names were
Edward V & Richard, Duke of York in the
year 1483. No proper evidence regarding their death
has been found till now in order to explain
what exactly happened with them in the
tower.
POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS
These are proposed explanations, not confirmed conclusions.
THEORY 1
MURDERED ON RICHARD III'S ORDERS
Richard III has traditionally been seen as the main suspect
STATUS:
UNCONFIRMED
THEORY 2
HENRY STAFFORD, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
Buckingham has also been proposed as a possible participant.
STATUS:
UNCONFIRMED
THEORY 3
HENRY VII / TUDOR INVOLVEMENT
Some theories suggest political rivals may have had motives.
STATUS:
UNCONFIRMED
THEORY 4
THE PRINCES
SURVIVED
The possibility of survival has also been discussed, though there is no evidence.
STATUS:
UNCONFIRMED
Who ordered their deaths - if they were killed ?
Were the skeletons really the princes ?
When did they die ?
Where did they die ?
What really happened inside the tower ?