The White Tower and the Two Princes -- White Tower, Tower of London, Tower Hamlets, London, UK
N 51° 30.473 W 000° 04.562
30U E 702905 N 5710359
This historic marker is located inside the White tower near the Norman staircase where the bodies of two children and a dog were found in 1674
Waymark Code: WMT17J
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/07/2016
Views: 6
The waymark coordinates are for the entrance to the White tower. This waymark is located inside the White Tower near the public entrance.
One of the saddest mysteries of the Tower of London is what happened to two 15th century Princes, (1) Edward Prince of Wales and (2) his younger brother the Richard, the Duke of York. When their father King Edward IV died in 1483, Edward Prince of wales became King. However, due to maneuvering by his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester, (who was supposed to be protecting him), Edward and his brother wound up imprisoned in the Tower of London. Edward was never crowned King. The Duke of Gloucester had the boys declared illegitimate offspring of the King, clearing the way for him to be crowned King Richard III. The 2 princes were never seen alive again.
This sad story is told both in the Bloody Tower and here in the White Tower. The historic marker in the White Tower reads as follows:
"THE WHITE TOWER AND THE TWO PRINCES
The skeletons of two boys were found hidden under the staircase, when the building protecting the entrance to the white tower was demolished in 1674. Many people, including Charles II, believe that they were the remains of two princes who disappeared in 1483. Their bones were reburied in Westminster Abbey.
The disappearances supposed murder of the two boys is one of the saddest mysteries of the tower. The two princes, Edward, age 12, and Richard age 9 the sons of King Edward IV. After the king's death, their uncle brought them to the tower, declared an illegitimate and they were never seen alive again. Their uncle was crowned Richard III.
The skeleton of Richard III was found in the car park in Leicester in 2012. He had died in battle aged 32.
A Victorian painting showing the romanticised version of the murder of the two princes."
Type of Historic Marker: Sign
Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Historic Royal Palaces
Age/Event Date: 06/15/1483
Related Website: [Web Link]
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