Product Description

The story of the death, in sinister circumstances, of the boy-king Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, is one of the most fascinating murder mysteries in English history. It is a tale with profound moral and social consequences, rich in drama, intrigue, treason, scandal and violence. In this gripping book Alison Weir re-examines all the evidence - including that against the Princes' uncle, Richard III. She brilliantly reconstructs the whole chain of events leading to their murder and reveals how, why and by whose order they died.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10658 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
Alison Weir lives and works in Surrey. Her books include Britain's Royal Families, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Children of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry VIII: King and Court, Mary, Queen of Scots and, most recently, Isabella.

Customer Reviews

Not up to Ms Weir's usual standard
I really like Alison Weir's non-fiction - especially the way she tends to focus on important yet neglected women in history (e.g. Kathryn Swynford, Eleanor of Aquitaine). Unfortunately, this book disappoints in that although her research is as painstaking as ever, her attempt to present almost a legal case for the guilt of Richard III in relation to the death of the princes falls down on several counts. I found myself disagreeing out loud with some of her statements and assumptions which, in some cases, were quite erroneous constructions on the words or acts of the protagonists. For an experienced historian, Ms Weir has unfortunately fallen into the trap of allowing her own beliefs to overpower the narrative, and she does not allow for any other possible scenarios/explanations. This lack of balance, exacerbated by her obvious dislike of Richard, taints what should have been an interesting and well-written book. My greatest discomfort however is with the conclusions she comes to regarding the skeletons found in the Tower in 1674 - all I will say to this is 'chain of evidence'.

Oh no Ms Weir!!
Alison Weir's barely concealed antipathy towards Richard III ruins this book. I felt that I had no choice other to agree with Ms Weir that Richard III was a crouch backed monster who was definitely the one who murdered the boys, and had no right to be presented with the facts and free to make up my own mind. I barely finished it. I wanted to read history, not venom spitting.
Big no no from me.

A very interesting and enjoyable read.Just a little unsure about the title.
This book reads in a very logical way.Alison has started right from the beginning so as the reader is presented with plenty of background events that led up to the deaths of the princes. On the whole the evidence that she has worked with does seem to lead to the conclusion in which Richard III is guilty of the murders.

The book seems to have some very good sections as well as some that are not so good but none could be described as being bad. The build up to the usurpation of the english throne by Richard III from his role as Protector is brilliant. I felt compelled to keep reading as i have very little knowledge of Richard III. The way evidence presents him as a tyrannical killer, executing here and there, often when he really had no rights to is great. It was also good to read how the boys were actually murdered as presented by witness accounts.

One or two chapters i did find a little dull to read due to the amount of names and dates which became confusing. Particularly the first chapter and the end of pages 256 to the middle of 257. However these are minor faults and i can understand why they need to be there.

Overall i am very pleased with this book. It contains a nice section of portraits and artwork and the book cover design really makes you want to read it. I sometimes wonder though, if a title such as Richard III and the Princes in thr Tower may have been more appropriate as i did not feel there was really enough on the princes and the book was more geared to Richard III.