What Happened to the Princes?

Two boys disappeared during a turbulent time for the Houses of York and Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses.

These boys were the overthrown King, Edward V and his younger brother Richard, the Duke of York.

In one of the coldest cases in British History, the story of the Princes fascinated many historians and enthusiasts. Although the mystery is still yet to be solved, the events we know are based on the sources from eyewitnesses, historians and from those who have connections with the Princes or members of the Royal House of York.

Timeline of Events

1399 - 1455

1455 - 1483

9th April 1483

11th April

12th - 20th April

After an unpopular reign of the Plantagenet King Richard II is deposed by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke (who later becomes Henry IV). Around five decades later, Henry's grandson, Henry VI has a mental breakdown. With a fight of who should run the country between the Houses of Lancaster and York, civil war breaks out.

The first half of the Wars of the Roses. During this time, there would be a series of civil wars, two kings, executions, murders and family drama.

Sudden death of Edward IV. Succession of Edward V.

The council sets a date for Edward V's coronation - 4th May.

William Hastings wrote to Richard, Duke of Gloucester and possibly to Buckingham.

Edward V and his household learn of his father's death at Ludlow Castle. He remains there until St George's Day.

Preparations are set for the coronation though there were events that were going on behind the scenes to bring down the Woodville family.

Edward IV is buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor on the 18th.

24th April

29th April

30th April

1st May

Edward V, his maternal uncle, Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers and the King's household left Ludlow.

Rivers informed Richard of Gloucester that the party would meet in Northampton on the 29th. However, Gloucester stopped at Pontefract Castle.

While Edward V and the rest of the household rode on to Stony Stratford, Rivers, Sir Richard Grey, Sir Thomas Vaughan, Gloucester, and Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham met in Northampton. They spent a congenial evening together.

Gloucester and Buckingham arrest Vaughan, Rivers and Grey before riding on to Stony Stafford.

Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Richard, the Duke of York, the Queen's daughters, her son Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset and Lionel Woodville, the Bishop of Salisbury and her son Tom Grey of Dorset fled to the Sanctuary of Westminster.

4th May

Early May to Mid-June

13th June

Gloucester and Edward V arrive in London.

On 19th May, Edward V was lodged in the royal apartments at the Tower of London. The coronation had been postponed on several occasions with a final date scheduled for 22 June 1483. But while preparations, Gloucester's motives were questioned by the Council. His motives would include appealing to the magnates and the citizens of London daily.

In observation, they would worry about the safety of the young King. Some members of the Royal family act suspiciously.

Supporters of Edward V including Jane Shaw (mistress of Edward IV) and Thomas Rotherham, the Bishop of York were arrested. On the same day, Gloucester went to attend a meeting with William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings at the Tower of London. Hastings was arrested and executed “without any process of law or lawful examination.”

Thomas Grey fled Sanctuary from Westminster Abbey and travelled to Brittany.

Lionel Woodville, the Bishop of Salisbury, left Sanctuary and returned to his diocese.

16th June

Richard, Duke of York leaves sanctuary escorted out of Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Bourchier. The Abbey is surrounded by troops. The little Duke leaves for the Tower of London and joins his elder brother in the lodged Royal Apartments.

After this date, the boys were seen shooting and playing in the grounds.

Mid-June

On the 17th, a meeting of Parliament on the 25th was cancelled and preparations for the coronation were abandoned. The Civic Council in York called up troops to march towards London, possibly required by Gloucester.

Edward V's attendants were mysteriously dismissed on the 19th while on the 21st, the Archbishop of York was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower.

Gloucester stopped wearing his mourning clothes and wearing purple.

22nd June

Doctor Ralph Shaa, brother of the Mayor of London delivered a sermon called "Bastard Slips Should Not Take Deep Root" at St. Paul's Cross. In his sermon, he questions the legitimacy of the children of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

Celicy, the Duchess of York arrives in London.

25th June

The children of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville were declared illegitimate. Edward V is disposed of. In response, Parliament petitions Gloucester to the throne. He accepts, ascending as King Richard III.

Meanwhile, Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan were executed.

Early July

Between the 1st and 5th of July, an approximately number between 3,000 to 4,000 men from Buckingham and Richard's forces arrived in London from the North. They are entrusted to become auxiliary police for the coronation. A proclamation ordered for a evening curfew for three nights forbidding citizens from carrying arms and visitors to remain in the city.

It is around this time that Edward V and Richard, Duke of York disappear. On the 6th, Richard III is crowned in Westminster Abbey.

22nd August 1485

Richard III is killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Henry Tudor, the brother-in-law of Edward V and Richard, the Duke of York is crowned King of England.