Edward of Middleham was the only child of King Richard III and Anne Neville. His date of birth is unclear. Edward spent most of his life at Middleham Castle. He was created Prince of Wales and invested as such at York Minster. Edward of Middleham died on 9 April 1484. The location of his tomb is not proven and has been subject to debate.
Edward of Middleham created Prince of Wales.
Richard III created his son as Prince of Wales on 24 August 1483. This was shortly after the coronation of himself and Anne as monarchs of England. The proclamation of Edward’s new status was done in London as a means of stating the line of inheritance clearly at an early stage.
Pleasing the people
The proclamation of Edward of Middleham as Prince of Wales was intelligent timing. It stated his position clearly to those at Court, and ensured that London’s citizens heard of the proclamations. It was also done immediately before Richard III and Anne set out on a progress. This ceremonial procession took Richard north, to York, where he had enjoyed high status as Lord of the North and had many supporters in the City and surrounding region. Holding the investiture of Edward in York provided an opportunity to please and offer patronage to those supporters.
Investiture of Edward of Middleham as Prince of Wales.
The investiture ceremony was held in York on 8th September 1483. It was presided over not by the Archbishop of York but by the Bishop of Durham. The ceremony itself consisted of a solemn mass.
After the mass, the Royal party paraded in full regalia to the Archbishop of York’s home. Here, the investiture itself took place, this consisted of Richard crowning his son as Prince of Wales.
The Prince of Wales returned to Middleham
Edward of Middleham returned to his household in North Yorkshire after his investiture, most probably to Middleham Castle. Richard then had his son formally recognised as heir to the throne by Parliament in February 1484 and took the precaution of having the nobility swear their allegiance to the young Prince.
Death of Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales
The moves to make Edward of Middleham’s position as Prince of Wales and heir to the throne clear were hugely important politically. However, they did not bring about an end to question marks over succession as the young Prince died, seemingly unexpectedly, on 9 April 1484.
However, in a short time after, it was fully seen how vain are the thoughts of a man who desires to establish his interests without the aid of God. For, in the following month of April, on a day not very far distant from the anniversary of king Edward, this only son of his, in whom all the hopes of the royal succession, fortified with so many oaths, were centred, was seized with an illness of but short duration, and died at Middleham Castle, in the year of our Lord, 1484, being the first of the reign of the said king Richard. On hearing the news of this, at Nottingham, where they were then residing, one might have seen his father and mother in a state almost bordering on madness, by reason of their sudden grief.
Croyland Chronicle
Image Credits
Featured image. Edward of Middleham depicted in Stained Glass at the church of St Mary and St Akelda in Middleham.
York Minster. Part of the Gott Collection at the Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. The collection was originally held by Leeds industrialist William Gott, and sold in 1908 and 1912 after the 1906 death of William Gott’s son John, bishop of Truro. Public Domain. Source.