Edward V

Also known as: Edward the fift / Edward the prince · Family: House of York · Role: son of Edward IV · First appears: Edward IV 12

Around 1470, Elizabeth Woodville gave birth to Edward V at Westminster sanctuary, where he was christened with little ceremony: “and there in great penurie forsaken of all hir friends, was deliuered of a faire son called Edward, which was with small pompe like a poore mans child christened.” The material also records Elizabeth Woodville presenting the young prince to Edward IV after his return from exile. Edward V was the son of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, brother to Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, Elizabeth of York, Cecily of York, Bridget of York, Anne of York, and Katherine of York, and half-brother to Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle.

Around 1475, Edward IV knighted his eldest son, Edward, prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall, and earl of Chester. On Edward IV’s death-bed around 1483, he entrusted the government of Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York during their minority to their senior advisers; Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers was appointed to govern and order Edward V at Ludlow.

In 1483, Richard III, Edward V’s uncle and protector, arranged to limit the prince’s escort, brought him to Northampton, replaced his servants, and assumed control of his household and journey to London. Edward V was later confined in the Tower with Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, while Richard III drew authority and attendance away from him; William Hastings, Baron Hastings supported the protector’s professed loyalty, and John Russell, Bishop of Lincoln, Edmund Shaw, William White, and John Matthew are recorded in acts of service or reception connected with the king. The realm rejected Edward V’s line, and he was never crowned, being described as “shamefullie by his vncle slaine.” Thomas More wrote an unfinished history of Edward V and Richard III.