The fate of the Princes in the Tower has puzzled historians for centuries.
In 1483, the two young brothers, Edward V and Richard of York, mysteriously disappeared from the Tower of London.
While some have long suspected that their uncle, Richard III, was responsible for their deaths, new evidence has emerged that could shed light on their fate—offering fresh insight into one of history’s most intriguing cold cases.
The Discovery That Could Change Everything
In a groundbreaking Channel 5 documentary airing tomorrow, a new piece of evidence could prove that the princes were murdered.
The discovery of a long-forgotten will reveals a significant link to Edward V’s prized possessions, strengthening the theory that he and his brother were secretly killed.
The will, dated 1522, was found in the National Archives by Professor Tim Thornton.
It belongs to Lady Margaret Capell, the sister-in-law of Sir James Tyrell, one of the alleged murderers of the princes.
Lady Margaret’s will bequeaths a significant item: “Also, I bequeath to my son, Sir Giles, his father’s chain which was young King Edward V’s.”
This chain, once belonging to the young king, is now at the center of a major historical revelation.
It remains unclear how Lady Margaret came to possess it, but the connection to Tyrell’s family, who were involved in business dealings with the Capells, raises questions about its origins.
Was Richard III Behind the Murder?
The connection between Tyrell’s family and the princes’ tragic end dates back to Sir Thomas More’s account of the murders, written in his book The History of King Richard III.
More claimed that Tyrell orchestrated the princes’ deaths, employing two men, Miles Forest and John Dighton, to smother the boys in their beds.
More’s detailed description of the murders paints a chilling picture: the two young princes suffocated, their lives cut short in a brutal and calculated act.
Professor Thornton, commenting on the significance of this discovery, explained that More’s accusations of Tyrell’s involvement in the crime could have been more than just Tudor propaganda.
“We now have evidence that More was in contact with people closely connected to Tyrell,” Thornton said.
This suggests that the accusations of Tyrell’s role in the princes’ deaths may have had some basis in fact.
The Ongoing Debate Over the Princes’ Fate
This new evidence will likely reignite debates among historians, particularly those who defend Richard III’s innocence.
Last year, historian Philippa Langley’s team uncovered documents suggesting that the princes might have survived their imprisonment.
According to these findings, Edward and Richard may have escaped the Tower and lived under assumed identities, one of them possibly being Lambert Simnel, who was involved in a failed Yorkist uprising in 1487.
While this alternative theory has gained some support, it has also been heavily contested by other experts.
The latest discovery, however, could shift the balance of the debate in favor of the long-standing theory that the princes were murdered.
A Fascinating Historical Puzzle
The mystery of the Princes in the Tower continues to captivate both historians and the public.
Dr. Tracy Borman, who co-presented the documentary, expressed her excitement about the new find.
“The fate of the Princes in the Tower is one of the most intriguing mysteries in the long history of this iconic fortress and palace,” she said.
“Seeing the will for the first time was a spine-tingling moment.”
As the documentary Princes in the Tower: A Damning Discovery airs tomorrow evening, it will likely stir even more questions and debates about one of history’s most enduring mysteries.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn