Richard of York

Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York (1473–1483), was the second son of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. He is best remembered as one of the “Princes in the Tower,” mysteriously disappearing at age nine alongside his brother Edward V after their uncle Richard III seized the throne. --- 🌟 Key Facts - Birth: 17 August 1473, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Parents: King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville - Titles: Duke of York (1474), Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Nottingham - Marriage: At age 4, betrothed and married to Anne de Mowbray, 8th Countess of Norfolk. She died in 1481, leaving him widowed as a child - Siblings: Included Edward V (elder brother), Elizabeth of York, Cecily, Anne, Catherine, Bridget, and others - Disappearance: July 1483, after being placed in the Tower of London with Edward V. Neither was seen again --- 🏰 Historical Context - When Edward IV died in April 1483, Richard’s elder brother became King Edward V. - Their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III), took custody of Edward V and persuaded their mother Elizabeth Woodville to release Richard of Shrewsbury to join him in the Tower. - The boys were declared illegitimate by Parliament under the Titulus Regius, clearing the way for Richard III’s coronation. - After summer 1483, both princes vanished. Their fate remains one of England’s greatest historical mysteries. --- 🔎 Legacy - Richard of Shrewsbury is remembered as one of the tragic Princes in the Tower, a symbol of innocence lost in the ruthless politics of the Wars of the Roses. - His disappearance has fueled centuries of speculation: some blame Richard III, others suspect Henry VII, while some argue the boys may have died naturally or escaped. - No definitive evidence has ever solved the mystery, making Richard’s short life a poignant chapter in English royal history.