Edward V Interesting Facts

1 Who killed Edward?

It was assumed that Edward’s uncle, Richard III, was responsible for the young Prince’s murder. He certainly accused the Woodville’s, Edward’s family, of treason and had a number of them executed. Once out of the way, he had Edward and his brother Richard declared illegitimate. Parliament reluctantly agreed and Richard became king. However, the Duke of Buckingham and Henry VII also gained from the Prince’s death. With Edward’s death, they were closer to becoming king. This is why some historians have suggested that Richard was framed to look like the villain by one of the other contenders for the throne.

2 When was Edward killed?

Historians have trouble dating Edward’s death. It seems that he and his brother were taken to the Tower of London in 1483 and were never seen again. Nearly two hundred years later, in 1674, the bones of two young boys were found in a casket, hidden away at the bottom of a staircase. It seems highly likely that these are the remains of the two princes. In 1933 the bodies were re-examined again, but still they could not be identified for certain as Richard and Edward.

3 The marriage that never was

When Parliament declared Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville invalid and their children illegitimate they took away Edward V’s right to the throne. They believed that Edward’s father was already engaged to Lady Eleanor Butler before marrying Elizabeth. In addition, there may have been political reasons for taking this decision. Elizabeth’s family, the Woodvilles, had been given positions of power and influence at Court by Edward IV, upsetting other established families.

4 Prince Richard

Despite the finding of the bones of two young boys at the Tower of London, some people believe that Edward’s younger brother, Richard, survived. While Edward may have died of natural causes, it is suggested that Richard escaped and was protected by his mother.

5 Sibling Success

Edward V’s sister Elizabeth became the wife of Henry VII. This is the king who deposed Richard III, who had in turn deposed her little brother.

6 No royal likeness remains

Poor Edward V was not king for long enough to have his portrait painted.