Edward V declared illegitimate and deposed 1483

The twelve year old Edward V acceded to the throne of England on the death of his father Henry VI on the 9th of April 1483, and his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester was appointed as protector. His coronation was delayed and Edward, along with his nine year old brother were housed in the Tower of London.1 On the 22nd of June, at [no-glossary]St Paul's Cross[/no-glossary], Ralph Shaa, presented evidence that when Edward IV married Elizabeth Woodville, he was already contracted to marry Eleanor Talbot. This made the twelve year old Edward and his brother illegitimate. On the 25th of June a petition (Titulas Regius) by an assembly of Lords and Commons declared Richard, Duke of Gloucester to be the legitimate king.2 The following day Edward was deposed and Richard III took the throne. Within a few weeks neither Edward nor his brother Richard were seen again, and were presumed murdered.1

• 1. a. b. BBC History http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/edward_v_king.shtml
• 2. Hicks, Michael The Wars Of The Roses New Haven and London Yale University Press 2012. p221.