TWT #176 –

On June 25th, 1483, after being King of England for just over three months, 12-year-old Edward V was declared an illegitimate King, locked in a tower, and never seen again.

Let’s get right to it, folks, no time to spare.

Edward IV ruled as King of England from 1461 until his sudden death in April of 1483 (minus a few years somewhere in the middle). According to Edward’s will, his brother Richard was to act as the Protector of the realm until his son, Edward V came of age.

Seeing as how Edward V was already twelve, the council in charge of coronation wanted to hold an immediate ceremony so that Richard couldn’t abuse the power of Protector.

So what did Richard do?

He abused the power of being Protector, of course.

I mean, there’s no way this kid could have led a whole country. I think Richard made the right call here.

Richard worked to postpone Edward’s coronation, buying himself enough time to plan his plot (or, plot his plan? who knows).

And so, on June 22nd 1483, theologian Ralph Shaa preached a sermon in public alleging that years ago when Edward IV married Elizabeth Woodville (who then gave birth to the king Edward V), he was already pledged to marry a lady named Eleanor Butler.

Because of the previous betrothal, Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth was “totally bogus,” as I believe they would put it in the 15th century, and thus neither of their children could be king.

A mere three days later, and exactly 536 years ago today, Edward IV lost his title when an assembly of Lords agreed with that sermon and declared Richard king (his official coronation would be held the next day).

So how did Richard III, King of England, treat his two nephews after stealing their birthright? He locked them in the Tower of London and they were never seen again, of course.

I’ll say it again: can you picture either of these kids running a country? Me neither.

No one actually ever found out what happened to Edward (former King), and his 9-year-old brother (named Richard, probably after the uncle that had him killed), but I think it’s safe to say that they weren’t sent off to summer camp.

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