Their Fate

The disappearance of the boys in the Tower has been the subject of much speculation, intrigue, and controversy over the centuries. Several theories have been put forward to explain what happened to them, but none has been conclusively proven.

One of the most popular theories is that Richard III ordered the boys' murder to secure his claim to the throne. According to this theory, the boys were smothered in their sleep by their captors, and their bodies were hidden or disposed of in a secret location within the Tower. This theory gained widespread acceptance in the 16th century and was immortalized by Shakespeare in his play "Richard III", which portrays Richard as a ruthless villain who has the young princes killed to secure his hold on the crown.

Another theory suggests that the boys were not murdered but were instead hidden away for their own safety by supporters of the queen's family. This theory is based on the fact that there were many people at the time who were loyal to the late king's family and who may have been willing to risk their own safety to protect the young princes. Supporters of this theory point to reports of sightings of the boys in the years following their disappearance, as well as alleged confessions by individuals who claimed to have been involved in their abduction and concealment.

In the 17th century, the discovery of two small skeletons in a chest within the Tower reignited interest in the mystery of the boys' disappearance. The skeletons were widely believed to be the remains of the princes, but subsequent scientific analysis in the 20th century cast doubt on this theory. Some experts now believe that the skeletons may have belonged to other individuals who were buried in the Tower, and that the fate of the boys remains unknown.

One popular theory that has emerged in recent years is that the boys were not actually murdered, but were instead sent into exile by supporters of the queen's family. This theory is based on the idea that there were many people at the time who were sympathetic to the boys' plight and who may have been willing to risk their own safety to help them escape.

Some proponents of this theory point to accounts from the time that suggest the boys were seen alive in various locations after their disappearance from the Tower. For example, in the early 16th century, a Portuguese historian named Rui de Pina claimed that he had seen the boys in Lisbon, where they were being kept in hiding by supporters of the queen's family.

Other researchers have suggested that the boys may have been smuggled out of the Tower and taken to France, where they would have been safe from Richard III's reach. According to this theory, the boys were smuggled out of the Tower by boat, possibly with the help of the queen's brother, Earl Rivers, who was known to have a fleet of ships at his disposal. Once in France, the boys may have lived in obscurity under assumed names, possibly even starting families of their own.

Despite the many theories that have been put forward over the years, the fate of the boys in the Tower remains one of the greatest mysteries in English history. While some researchers believe that new evidence may yet be uncovered that will shed light on the boys' fate, it is also possible that the mystery may never be fully solved, and that the story of the boys in the Tower will continue to fascinate and intrigue people for generations to come.

Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024