Edward V

Edward V (4 November 1470 – c. 1483) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 9 April 1483 until 26 June 1483. He succeeded his father, Edward IV, upon his father's death. Edward V was never crowned.

At the time of his father's death, Edward V was residing at Ludlow Castle as Prince of Wales. His uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Lord Protector. Gloucester intercepted Edward V en route to London and subsequently also took custody of Edward's younger brother, Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. The two boys were housed in the Tower of London.

Before Edward V could be crowned, his uncle, Richard, challenged the legitimacy of Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, arguing that Edward IV had a pre-contract of marriage with Lady Eleanor Butler. Parliament subsequently declared Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville invalid and declared Edward V and his siblings illegitimate.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, then ascended the throne as Richard III. Edward V and his brother remained in the Tower of London. Their fate is unknown. It is widely believed that they were murdered, possibly on the orders of Richard III, but this has never been definitively proven. The two princes, known as the "Princes in the Tower," vanished from public view and were never seen again.