Edward was born in a sanctuary at Westminster Abbey, sometime in November, 1470, to Elizabeth Woodville as she sought protection from her Lancastrian enemies during the temporary removal of his father, Edward IV, during the War of the Roses. In June, 1471, Edward was declared Prince of Wales following his father’s restoration. In 1473, Edward was sent to live at Ludlow Castle in the Welsh Marches, where he was to be the nominal president of the newly created Council of Wales.
The Childhood of Edward V
While at Ludlow Castle, Edward was placed under the supervision of Earl Rivers, a noted scholar and a brother to the Queen. The King laid out precise instructions for raising Edward. Edward was to "arise every morning at a convenient hour according to his age." Edward’s day began with matins and mass followed by breakfast.
After breakfast, Edward’s education was to begin with "virtuous learning." In the afternoon, Edward was to be read "noble stories of virtue, honour, cunning, wisdom and of deeds of worship." The King also insisted that no one in Edward’s household was to be a "habitual swearer, brawler, backbiter or user of words of ribaldry." Following his studies in the afternoon, Edward was encouraged to participate in athletic activities suitable for his age and class. Supper was at four and Edward was to be in bed no later than eight.
As with a number of his other children, Edward IV had planned a high profile marriage for Edward. In 1480, Edward IV entered into an alliance with the Duke of Brittany. One of the terms of this alliance was that Edward was betrothed to the Duke’s four year old daughter, Anne. Edward and Anne were to be married when they came of age. The Duchy of Brittany would have gone to the second child of their marriage, while the first would have become the Prince of Wales and eventually King of England.
Edward IV died on April 9, 1483. After the death of his father, Edward was declared King of England. Edward IV’s will has not survived, but he is known to have named his brother, Richard, who was then the Duke of Gloucester and would eventually rule as Richard III, as Protector of the Realm, until Edward came of age. Following the death of Edward IV, Edward set out from Wales for London, while Richard, the Duke of Gloucester began travelling down from the north of England.
Their paths would eventually converge in Northamptonshire. On the evening of April 29, Richard dined with Earl Rivers and Edward’s half-brother, Richard Grey. On the following morning, Earl Rivers, Grey and Edward’s Chancellor, Thomas Vaughn, were arrested by Richard and sent north where they were quickly put to death. Edward protested but the rest of his royal retinue was quickly dismissed. Richard escorted Edward to London where he was imprisoned. Edward was joined in captivity by his younger brother Richard, the Duke of York, on June 16.
In the wake of his imprisonment in the Tower of London, Edward’s coronation was repeatedly postponed. On June 22, evidence was presented that Edward IV had been contracted to marry Lady Eleanor Butler at the time he had married Elizabeth Woodville, which rendered their children illegitimate. As a result, the children of Edward’s other brother, the Duke of Clarence were also barred from the throne. On June 25, Richard was declared King of England.
Sources
Ashley, Mike (2002). British Kings & Queens. Carroll & Graf
Hicks, Michael (2003). Edward V: The Prince in the Tower. The History Press.
Terry Long - I hold degrees in history and journalism. In addition to my contributions to Suite 101, I have also written for the Brampton Bulletin, the ...
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