BellaOnline Forums Education History The Princes in the Tower

In your opinion, was Richard III liable for the disappearance of the young princes who had the rightful claim to the throne (at least when compared to Richard)?

I've always felt Richard had something to do with their disappearance. He grabbed the throne too quickly and greedily for anything else. I don't know if he is the one ultimately responsible, but I think he gave enough suggestions that someone acted on his orders (or suggestions). I've never read anything that indicates that he actively looked to discover the cause of their disappearance or the result of their disappearance.

I certainly don't think they were released from the tower to become quiet citizens in any country.

I had someone argue that he had whisked them away to France for protection. I pointed out that during that time, Henry Tudor was in France. Why send the boys to the enemy?

I think the "wish" that he was saved is always apparent. No one wants to think innocent boys were murdered, but I'm very much afraid they were. There are stories (fiction stories) of the younger prince being saved and another child sent to the Tower in his place. It would be an interesting thought if it were a fact, similar to the interesting thought that Mary Magdalene had a child by Jesus ... interesting, but simply not credible.

Very true. So much interesting to research and talk about but it comes down to what usurper would leave the true heirs alive? No matter what their age, heirs were usually killed. Even Caesar's children and Marc Antony's were murdered when they died.