Edward V

Illustration in the Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers (1477)

Regnal name: King Edward V of England

Birth name: Edward Westmynstre Plantagenet of Yorke

Born: 02 November 1470, Westminster, Middlesex, Kingdom of England

Father: King Edward IV of England

Mother: Elizabeth Woodville

House: York

Nationality: English

Religion: Catholicism

Claim: Child of Edward IV 

Reign: 09 April 1483 - 25 June 1483 (2 months)

Coronation: N/A

Predecessor: Edward IV

Successor: Richard III 

Died: c. 1483 in absentia (aged 12)

Cause: Murder *disputed*

Burial: *Unknown*

Motto: God and my right 

Spouse(s):

• N/A 

Children:

• N/A 

Appearance:
He was described as handsome, and possibly had blonde hair and grey eyes. 
 

Character:
He was described as being charming and dignified. Edward was also viewed as polite, and had an interest in literature and learning. 
 

Biography:
Edward was born in Westminster, England in 1470, and was the fourth of ten children born to both King Edward IV of England, and his wife, Elizabeth Woodville. He was born while his mother was seeking sanctuary in Westminster Abbey, from the forces who had just deposed her husband from the throne of England, during the height of the Wars of the Roses. 
 

He mainly grew up under the guardianship of his uncle, Anthony Woodville, and received a highly educated yet slightly sheltered upbringing. In 1480, he was betrothed to Lady Anne of Brittany, daughter of the Duke of Brittany.  
 

At the age of just 12 years old in 1483, his father died rather suddenly, and Edward became King Edward V of England. His uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was appointed as his Lord Protector due to the new king being underage. Likely fearing Woodville influence, and because they were plotting against him, Richard had many members of their family and supporters arrested, despite Edward's protest. 
 

He then arrived at the Tower of London with his brother, Prince Richard, where he awaited his coronation. However, his uncle, Richard, would keep postponing the coronation due to the emergence of a pre-contract between King Edward IV and another woman when he had married Elizabeth Woodville in secret. This would make his father's marriage to his mother null and void, thus making Edward V, along with the rest of his siblings, illegitimate. 
 

Due to his other uncle's charges of treason, his line had been barred from inheriting the crown, therefore, his uncle Richard was technically the true heir to the throne of England. By act of parliament, his uncle then became King Richard III of England.  
 

The events which happened next remain unclear and mysterious. There were reported sightings of Edward and his brother in the Tower, but these grew less frequent. By the end of autumn in 1483, they completely disappeared. 
 

Their fates remain unknown to this day.
 
Rule:
Due to being underage, and having only been king for 2 months, Edward did not achieve anything of note.
 
Trivia: 

• The most likely conclusion regarding his disappearance is that he was murdered on the orders of his uncle, King Richard III, but this is based on motivating factors only; there has never been any solid evidence.
• Other theories also exist, such as that Edward was not in fact killed, but in fact went into hiding, or lived a quiet life elsewhere.

 

Quotes:
 
N/A 

 

Timeline of Reign:

| 1483: Regency - Richard, Duke of Gloucester declared as Edward V's protector and regent.

| 1483: Woodville Plot - Edward V's mother and her family plot to take control.

| 1483: Woodville's arrested - Many members of the Woodville family are arrested by Richard.

| 1483: Coronation preparations - Edward V stays in the Tower of London to await coronation.

| 1483: Declared illegitimate - Edward V is declared illegitimate and his uncle takes the throne.

| 1483: Final sighting - Last official sighting of Edward and his brother playing in the Tower gardens.

 

 

Sources & Further Reading:

Brain, J. (n.d.). King Edward V. Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/King-Edward-V/ 

Edward V | Biography, Death, & Facts | Britannica. (2020). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-V

King-edward-v.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2007). Wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King-edward-v.jpg 

pixeltocode.uk, P. (n.d.). Edward V & Richard Duke of York. Westminster Abbey. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/royals/edward-v-richard-duke-of-york