The reign of Richard III began on this day, the 26th of June 1483. A day after commoners and lords endorsed Richard.
His claim to power was not immediate. His brother Edward IV, died earlier that year in April. Richard was named asLord Protector of Edward IV son, Edward V, who was only 12 years old at the time. Edward V rule was short and non-lasting. Just 86 days. Then, he died on the 26th of June 1483. Edward was never crowned king.
Edward V is know better today as one of the Princes in the Tower, alongside Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. Both of these boys disappeared, and it is not known what happened to them.
Although, many contemporaries believe that the boys were murdered in order for Richard III to secure the throne. Historians debate the Princes of the Tower disappearance. There is actually no evidence that Richard killed the princes, or ordered their murder. However, he did have the most to gain from it. The Church of England hasrefused several times for bones under Westminster Abbey to be forensically tested. The same bones are believed to be of the boys. And, if they are, it could forever solve the case of what happened to the boys. And, provide evidence of the wildly speculated theory that they were murdered. It is because of his association to the murder of the Princes of the Tower, that King Richard III has been seen as an infamous king. Unless tests are allowed to be carried out on the bones beneath Westminster Abbey, we will likely never know for sure what happened to the princes. The reign of King Richard III has been largely overshadowed by the Princes in the Tower. When we think of Richard III, we tend to think of him as a murderer of his own nephews. But, there was also a few other significant things about Richard III time as king. He was the last monarch from the House of York. An impressive royal house which dated back to 1385. With Richards death also, we saw an end to the War of the Roses. Something which brought in a new era of English history, the beginning of theHouse of Tudor. Richard III maybe one of our most memorable and fascinating monarchs. However, his reign was short. Just under two years. The king was the last king to die in battle. On the 22nd of August, 1485.
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