An Age-Old Mystery Solved: The Fate of Two Princes Uncovered

The vanishing of two young princes from the Tower of London over 500 years ago remains one of history's captivating 'murder' enigmas.

Decades after their disappearance, the discovery of two small skeletons within a wooden box at the legendary Tower led to their re-interment at Westminster Abbey, thought to be the bones of the princes—Edward, 12, and Richard, 9, sons of King Edward IV. They were allegedly killed on orders from their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

William Shakespeare portrayed Richard III as a devious figure who eliminated his nephews to secure the throne. This portrayal shaped his historical image as a murderer of children.

Revisiting the Fate of the Princes

Philippa Langley, the researcher who played a key role in unearthing Richard III's remains from beneath a car park in 2012, proposes a new narrative: the young princes were not killed, as popularly believed, but rather survived.

Edward, the older prince, was next in line for the throne during his disappearance and was expected to become King Edward V. Langley's investigation was motivated by a skepticism of the traditional history which paints Richard as the villain, a narrative she argues was crafted by victors to serve their interests.

Her curiosity intensified after reading an article regarding Richard's reburial, prompting her to question whether a 'child murderer' should be commemorated. She notes that the story has been reinforced through Tudor influence until it was accepted as fact.

Unraveling Historical Misconceptions

Richard was the last English king killed in combat, reigning from 1483 until his death at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, a pivotal event in the Wars of the Roses that ushered the Tudors to power.

Langley contends that Henry VII, Richard's successor, orchestrated the narrative of the princes' murder to malign Richard, using a vast network of spies and skillful narrative control.

Approaching the case with a modern investigative mindset, Langley engaged experts from police and legal fields. These specialists advised her to treat it as a missing persons case unless incontrovertible evidence of death surfaced. This approach marked the beginning of her fascinating archival journey.

The Missing Princes Project

Langley launched an appeal for research volunteers, which drew responses from historians and enthusiasts alike, leading to the formation of the Missing Princes Project. This initiative eventually gathered a substantial amount of evidence suggesting the potential survival of the princes.

Langley's findings are encapsulated in her work, "The Princes in the Tower: How History's Greatest Cold Case Was Solved." She challenges skeptics to present concrete evidence of the princes' demise, asserting that her research has unveiled 'proofs of life' for both princes.

One key discovery is documentation supporting a rebellion involving 'Edward IV's son.' This rebellion, led by Lambert Simnel who was declared king in Dublin, might suggest that he was indeed the elder prince, Edward's son.

Reaction to Langley's assertions is varied. Michael Dobson, a Shakespeare specialist, remains doubtful, citing the risks Richard would have faced by keeping the princes alive and suggesting that their disappearance under such circumstances seemed implausible.

Langley's interest in Richard III dates back to 1998 when she encountered a biography questioning his traditional portrayal. This led to her collaborative work on Richard's search documented in both a book and film, cementing her role in reshaping this historical mystery.