in 1674…under the staircase of the white tower… a chest was found… inside there were 2…...
TRANSCRIPT
In 1674…under the staircase of the White Tower…
A chest was found…
inside there were 2…
Skeletons!
The remains of…
The sons of King Edward IV
Prince Edward and his brother, Richard, Duke of York
In order for our trip to the Tower of London to be a success it is important that we find out the following…
What happened to the 2 boys.
Which will then allow us to …
identify a suspect…
So that we can try to find out Who may be responsible for the princes’ murder and what their motive may have been.
But first we need a little background information…
In 1674, during the reign of King Charles II, some workmen were doing repairs in the White Tower of the Tower of London. Whilst removing rubble from a staircase they found a hidden chest.
They removed it and opened it to reveal its contents….
When they opened the lid they were shocked to discover the skeletons of two children
Prince Edward and his brother, Richard, Duke of York
Edward and Richard were last seen alive in the Tower of London in 1483
Who do you think was responsible for their deaths?
Why were they killed?
Who is who?!
In order to try and solve this mystery we firstly need to look at some key characters and find out who everyone is.
This will help you to understand the story you are about to learn.
The family involved are the most powerful family in England – The House of York
Can you remember your Tudor History and the Wars of the Roses?
Key people
• Edward IV – Is King from 1442-1483. He is Married to…
• Elizabeth Woodville – who is the mother of…
• Princes Edward and Richard…the nephews of…
• Richard Duke of Gloucester – who is the brother of…
• Edward IV! (the King in case you are confused!)
As well as family there are also friends who are relevant to the story…
• Earl Rivers – Queen Elizabeth’s brother• Lord Hastings – Edward IV closest advisor• Dr Ralph Shaa – preacher and close friend
of Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Richard, Duke of Gloucester KING EDWARD IV Elizabeth Woodville 1442-1483
Dr Ralph Shaa Lord Hastings Earl Rivers
Prince Edward (12 years old) & Prince Richard (10 years old)
So the Family tree – looks like this!
Why are they considered to be a STRONG and POWERFUL family
Lots of male heirs!!
Happy families?
This family tree may look straight forward but all is not quite what it seems…
Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville married for love – this was very unusual in Medieval times. Edward could have married anyone he wanted as King of England but he chose Elizabeth.
So, what's the problem?
Elizabeth was a Lancastrian (the rival family of the Yorkists). She was also from a relatively poor family and so many people believed she married Edward IV for money. Elizabeth and her family were not popular!
Look at your family tree. Who do you think may fall out and why?
Richard, Duke of Gloucester KING EDWARD IV Elizabeth Woodville 1442-1483
Dr Ralph Shaa Lord Hastings Earl Rivers
Prince Edward (12 years old) & Prince Richard (10 years old)
What does Richard think of his brother’s new, poor, Lancastrian wife, Elizabeth?
What does the ambitious Elizabeth think of her powerful new brother-in-law?
How does Richard feel about Hastings being his brother (the King’s) closest advisor?
Your thoughts so far…
How well do you think this family get on?
Which person is likely to clash with the most people and why?
So what happened?• 9th April Edward IV eats too much and dies!• His son and heir was also called Edward, was to be crowned King Edward V• Richard, who was the late king’s youngest brother and the uncle of the new
king was worried that Elizabeth Woodville’s (the wife of Edward IV and the mother of the new king) family would take charge of young Edward and tell him what to do.
• 30th April Richard kidnaps Edward and kills Earl Rivers of the Woodville family!
• 1st May Elizabeth Woodville takes her youngest son, Richard into hiding with her in Westminster Abbey
• 4th May Richard Duke of Gloucester arrives in London with his nephew Edward.
• 13th June Richard, Duke of Gloucester has Lord Hastings executed with out trial!
• 16th June prince Richard and Edward Junior are kept in the Tower together after Richard of Gloucester has his army surround Westminster Abbey.
• 22nd June rumours then began to spread by Dr Ralph Shaa about whether the 2 princes are legitimate (could they inherit the throne? Was their parents marriage valid?)
• 6th July - The coronation took place BUT the king that was crowned was…
…Richard III (the princes’ uncle)
As for the 2 princes…?
Final thoughts…
The princes are not sighted or reported as being dead or alive after this time – they simply disappear.
They may have escaped or they may have been killed
What do you think?
Who do you think killed the princes?
What is their motive (reason for doing this)?
What are they like as a person? How would you describe them?
Now that we know the story of the Princes in the Tower you are now
ready for your visit …
Guilty or not guilty?
At the tower you will have the chance to interrogate Richard III
Your task is to try and answer the following question…
“Did Richard, Duke of Gloucester, commit any crimes on his way to the throne?”
Year 8 – Tower of London Trip
What is expected of you…
You have been chosen for this trip as you are considered to be either Gifted and Talented in History or an able historian
You will be expected to be on your best behaviour!
The tower of London is open to hundreds of other visitors and schools
It is also the home to many members of staff and their families who live on site
You will be given a sticker at the start of the day and YOU MUST WEAR THIS AT ALL TIMES!
You are representing the school and me – don’t let us down!
THE TOWER OF LONDON
THINGS TO REMEMBER
• Wear appropriate smart, casual clothes i.e. no ‘hoodies’, ‘scruffy’ jeans or revealing tops/bottoms etc.
• Bring plenty of food and drink.• Clipboard, paper and pens.• Some money if you wish.• Camera, if needed.• Books, games etc for coach journey.• Do not bring huge bags.• Bring your ‘plan for the day’.• Be on time and listen to all instructions.• Inform parents to pick you up at 5.30pm.
• It is a good idea to bring a mobile phone if possible, to update your parents of our estimated time of arrival back at school.
Please ask parents not to park in the actual bus bays, but to use the car parks.
YEAR 8 HISTORY TRIP – TUESDAY 21ST APRIL 2009 THE TOWER OF LONDON
PLAN FOR THE DAY
7.15am Arrive at School
7.30am Coach leaves for The Tower of London
10.15am Arrive at Tower of London (coach park).Walk to Group Ticket Office to collect entry stickers (tickets). Students to place stickers on external clothing. DO NOT lose these stickers – they are your TICKETS.
10.20am-10.30am Toilet break – available in coach park, Brick Tower (behind the Jewel House) or near Middle Drawbridge entrance.
10.35am-12.30am Tour of the Tower in muster groups, visiting the following areas:-the White Tower (Henry VIII’s armour)-the ravens (outside the White Tower)-the Beauchamp Tower (prisoners’ carvings)-the Bloody Tower (2 princes and Sir Walter Raleigh)-the Jewel House and the Crown Jewels-Tower Green-Lower Wakefield Tower-the Salt Tower-The Medieval Palace (above Traitor’s Gate)
12.35pm-1.05pm Lunch at the Tower Café – a covered eating area on the Wharf by the East Drawbridge.
1.10pm-1.25pm Shop (The Medieval Palace Shop) near Schools’ entrance
1.25pm-1.30pm Make way to Workshop in the Education Centre.
1.30pm-3.00pm Workshop ‘The Princes in the Tower’. (approx 90 mins)
3.05pm-3.15pm Walk to coach park (toilets)
3.15pm Depart Tower of London
5.30pm (approx) Arrive at Perins