The Story of The Princes in the Tower
History: KS3, topic 1.8.5
The Ghostly Story of The Princes in the Tower
After Edward IV’s death, his sons disappeared in the Tower of London and Richard III claimed the throne.
Locked in the Tower of London
- Edward V was just a boy when Edward V became king.
- Edward V had a younger brother named Richard, who was the Duke of York.
- Edward V and Richard were taken to the Tower of London by Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
- Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was Edward V’s uncle.
- Edward V and Richard were locked in the Tower of London after King Edward IV died.
King Richard III
- Richard, Duke of Gloucester, made Edward V and Richard prisoners.
- Richard then declared himself king, becoming King Richard III.
- Richard, now King Richard III, claimed that Edward V and Richard should not be kings because Edward V and Richard were illegitimate.
- After King Richard III made this claim, the young princes disappeared.
Ghosts in the tower
- No one knows what happened to the princes.
- The mystery of the princes’ disappearance is one of the greatest mysteries in English history.
- Some people believe the princes were killed on King Richard III’s orders.
- Other people think Edward V and Richard escaped.
- Some say that the ghosts of the princes can still be heard in the Tower of London at night.
Test yourself on The Story of The Princes in the Tower
Who was the king whose sons were locked in the Tower of London after his death?
What do people believe happened to the prices, sons of Edward IV ?