Analysis Of The Mysterious Deaths Of The Princes In The Prince

The Mysterious Deaths of the Princes in the Tower On April 23, 2013, Vanessa Hudgens, an American actress, stated, “So many people try to grow up too fast, and it’s not fun! You should stay a kid as long as possible!” (Brainy Quotes). This was a nice sentiment, but Prince Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, had no choice in the matter. Long before they reached adulthood, the princes had great responsibility and hardship thrust upon them. Then, they vanished, murdered in their sleep and cursed to be children forever, but by whom? The two prevailing theories that explain the deaths of Prince Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, are these: either King Richard III was responsible for the murder of the princes, or someone else was. Since the disappearance
Notably, Alison Weir, a UK historian and author, claims, “[Richard III] was the only person with the authority and obvious opportunity to dispose of the Princes” (164). Moreover, Weir also states that “Richard himself viewed the Princes as a danger” to his hold on the throne (165). Richard III clearly possessed the means and the motive to murder his nephews, as many will do anything in an attempt to ensure the continuity of their power. Furthermore, in 1502, Sir James Tyrell confessed under torture to the murder of the princes (Gallagher). However, it is presumed that Tyrell was only following the orders of his king, Richard III, when he committed the murders (Gallagher). Additionally, Richard III never offered an explanation of the princes’ disappearance despite the rumors which harmed his reputation (Weir 164). His silence on the matter only served to further incriminate him, especially when coupled with the confession of Sir James Tyrell. Considering the sheer amount of evidence against King Richard III, the theory that he instructed Sir James Tyrell to murder the princes is the strongest, most believable