The Princes in the Tower (Encore)

Arrest

Richard III's strategic arrest of Edward V’s escort was a calculated move to consolidate his power. When Edward IV died, young Edward V was at Ludlow Castle, and Richard was in York. They planned to meet and enter London together, but Richard arrested Edward's entire retinue and sent them to Pontefract Castle. Richard then took Edward to the Tower of London, where monarchs traditionally stayed before coronation 1.

Richard then personally took Edward into London and took him to the Tower of London, which was the traditional location where monarchs stayed before they were coronated.

--- Gary Arndt

Edward was joined by his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York, but the coronation was delayed indefinitely by Richard III, who was acting as regent 1.

   

Illegitimacy

Richard III used claims of illegitimacy to declare Edward V unfit for the throne. A theologian named Ralph Shaw claimed that Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was invalid due to a prior contract with Lady Eleanor Butler. This made Edward V illegitimate and unable to become king, paving the way for Richard to claim the throne 1.

This prior contract meant that the marriage between Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville was invalid, and hence Edward V was not legitimate and couldn't become king.

--- Gary Arndt

Richard's argument was flimsy, but it was enough to delay Edward's coronation and strengthen Richard's position 1.

   

Coronation

Richard III's coronation was marked by strategic political actions and laws to legitimize his rule. On June 25, a group of lords and nobles asked Richard to take the throne, and he was proclaimed king the next day. In 1484, he passed the Titulus Regius, confirming Edward V's illegitimacy and his own right to the throne 2.

On June 25, the group of lords and nobles approached Richard, asking him to take the throne, which, of course, he did.

--- Gary Arndt

The fate of Edward and his brother remains a mystery, but Richard's actions ensured his brief reign as king 2.