King Edward V was born in the Sanctuary at Westminster Abbey on 2 November 1470. Eldest son of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, he was proclaimed King of England following his fathers death on 9 April 1483. Edward V was never crowned. His short reign came to an end as his parents marriage was declared to be null and void, with his uncle, Richard, becoming King in his stead. Edward and his brother, Richard of Shrewsbury, vanished from public view and are known as the Princes in the Tower.
Birth of Edward V
Edward V was born whilst his mother was taking refuge in the Sanctuary at Westminster. This was during the Readeption of King Henry VI. The young prince was hastily baptised whilst in the safety of the Abbey.
Edward as Prince of Wales
Events during Edward’s first months made legitimising the young prince important. His father regained the Crown in April 1471. In June of the same year, Edward was created Prince of Wales. Whilst it is normal for a first born son of the King to be created Prince of Wales, it was unusual for the creation to be at such an early age. It was done as part of Edward IV’s reaffirming of his right to be King at the start of his second reign.
Acknowledged as heir
The legitimisation process of Edward IV’s second reign also included the Lords of the land acknowledging Edward as being legitimate heir to King Edward IV. This took place on 3 July 1471. With his place within the Royal structure set, seemingly, in stone, plans were then made for the infant Prince’s upbringing.
Council established for the future King Edward V
A Council was formed for Edward Prince of Wales. This included his mother and his uncles, the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, and Earl Rivers. The Council was to oversee Edward’s education and be responsible for management of the young prince’s estates. Those estates were also granted around the same time. These included lands in Cornwall, Chester and Wales.
Earl Rivers given role in raising of Edward
In September 1473 King Edward IV set out a series of Ordinances regarding the household, education and upbringing of Prince Edward. This was accompanied with roles being given to Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers and John Alcock Bishop of Rochester. In essence, these two men were given responsibility for the Prince’s affairs.
Lieutenant
The status of the Prince was reaffirmed at various stages within his fathers second reign. In 1475 the King made arrangements for his invasion of France. This included making his will and, perhaps unusually given the Prince’s young age, appointing Prince Edward as Lieutenant of England in his absense. Whilst governance would clearly be done by other people, the rank of Prince Edward was being reasserted on a national stage.
King Edward V
Edward V’s father died on 9 April 1483. In London, Queen Elizabeth, the young King’s mother, persuaded the Council that a coronation should take place in early May. The young King was escorted by Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers towards London to make preparations for this ceremony.
Plans for Edward V’s Coronation
On 29 April the entourage of King Edward V was met by his uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester, and Duke of Buckingham at Stony Stratford. Here, Earl Rivers and Sir Richard Grey were arrested by the Dukes. King Edward was then escorted by the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham, arriving in London on 4 May 1483: the date that had been mooted for his coronation ceremony.
The Coronation of Edward V was postponed, initially to 22 June 1483. There followed a series of events that saw a power struggle between senior members of the Council, his fathers household, and those in the affinity of his mothers family.
Edward declared illegitimate
The events of the summer of 1483 are well documented. They are outlined in depth on this website here.
In brief, King Edward V saw his coronation postponed several times. He was joined in the Tower of London, to prepare for this coronation, by his brother Richard Duke of Shrewsbury. Outside of the Tower, political changes were happening fast.
The Dowager Queen had taken refuge in the sanctuary at Westminster. Leading magnates were arrested by the Duke of Gloucester, with William Lord Hastings being executed. On 22 June 1483 a sermon was preached by Dr Ralph Shaa which stated that the marriage between King Edward V’s parents was not legal.
This led to Edward V and his siblings being declared illegitimate. This was accompanied by his removal as King, with his uncle, Richard, being invited to take the Crown as King Richard III.
Edward and Richard of Shrewsbury
Following the accession of Richard III, the now deposed Edward V remained within the Tower of London. He was still acknowledged as being a child of King Edward IV, just not a legitimate one. His household staff was reduced and he and his brother were seen and heard of less frequently. Soon, there were rumours about the fate of the two boys. Their whereabouts and fate has remained a mystery to this day.
The fate of the Princes in the Tower is discussed in relation to relatively recent research finds in this article about conflicting ‘proof’ about their fate. Calls for DNA Sampling to be conducted on remains held in Westminster Abbey, which have been declared to be those of King Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, are addressed in this article on DNA and the Princes in the Tower.
Books about King Edward V
Ashdown-Hill, John. The Mythology of the ‘Princes in the Tower’
Hicks, Michael Professor.
Pollard, A. J Professor.
Weir, Alison. The Princes in the Tower
Featured Image
King Edward V published by John Player & Sons, after George Vertue. Colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935. NPG D48127. © National Portrait Gallery, London. Creative Commons Licence.
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