Why a Booktrail?
1452 – 1485 : What really did happen to the Princes in the Tower?
The Survival of the Princes in the Tower
What you need to know before your trail
The murder of the Princes in the Tower is the most famous cold case in British history. Traditionally considered victims of a ruthless uncle, there are other suspects too often and too easily discounted. There may be no definitive answer, but by delving into the context of their disappearance and the characters of the suspects Matthew Lewis examines the motives and opportunities afresh as well as asking a crucial but often overlooked question: what if there was no murder? What if Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York survived their uncle’s reign and even that of their brother-in-law Henry VII? There are glimpses of their possible survival and compelling evidence to give weight to those glimpses, which is considered alongside the possibility of their deaths to provide a rounded and complete assessment of the most fascinating mystery in history.
Locations
Reset- England - London
- A: HM Tower Of London
- England - Northamptonshire
- B: Fotheringhay - Fotheringhay Castle
- England - Leicester
- C: Bosworth Battlefield
- D: Leicester Cathedral
Travel Guide
Richard III
The three major sites to visit in order to follow in the footsteps of Richard III
The Tower of London
“The Princes in the Tower” refers to the two princes Edward V, King of England and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. The two brothers were the only sons of Edward IV of England and when they were 12 and 9 years old, respectively, they were lodged in the Tower of London by tRichard III. He was supposedly looking after them until Edward’s forthcoming coronation as king. Richard took the throne and the boys were never seen again.
Fotheringhay Castle
Fotheringhay Castle was a favoured residence of Richard, who became Duke of York . His son Richard III was also born here in 1452.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for some 18 years at nearby Sheffield Castle spent her final days at Fotheringhay, where she was tried and convicted of treason.
Battle of Bosworth
The Battle of Bosworth Field was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses. Richard III, the last king of the House of York, was killed in the battle. Henry Tudor was victorious and became the first English monarch of the Tudor dynasty.
Leicester Cathedral
The final resting place of Richard III whose remains were found underneath a carpark. There’s also a statue of the main himself holding his crown.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Survival of the Princes in the Tower
Destination: Leicester, London, Fotheringhay Author/Guide: Matthew Lewis Departure Time: 1452 – 1485
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