People often claim that Richard’s reputation was distorted by his Tudor successors. But by examining the source material from Richard’s own time, we can be relatively clear on the events of 1483. We can make a reasonable assessment as to what happened to the Princes in the Tower.
In this video I make a couple of slip ups. I say ‘Richard II’ when I mean ‘Richard III.’ I refer to a source as the third ‘edition’ of the Croyland Chronicle rather than the third ‘continuation.’ Oh dear. It’s a good thing I’m pretty.
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After seeing the Shakespearean play Richard III at about age 16 I developed a deep interest in Richard III. Not so long ago and more than 40 years later, I discovered that we are actually in direct line to Richard de la Pole through one of my ancestors, my paternal grandmother. This of course increased my interest in “Great Uncle Richard”. I have read Alison Weir’s latest book on Richard and found her not to be impartial at all. I am now reading Chris Skidmore’s book which I find much more insightful as it provides much more information on the circumstances (political and other) at the time of Richard assuming the throne and during his brief reign. I was a firm believer that Richard did not kill the boys, but now I must say that I agree with you (and Chris) that there is no other explanation – as you say, it would have been in his interest to produce the boys alive, or prove that someone else killed them (perhaps thinking that he, Richard, would be glad to be rid of them).
Thank you for a very insightful piece.
Many thanks for your comment Carole. It’s great that you have such connections to the past.