King Edward IV
King Edward IV: Power, Deception, and a Vanishing Heir
Skygaze unravels the secrets of England's warrior king and the mysterious fate of his bloodline
The Kingmaker's Favorite
Edward IV rose to the throne at just 19 during the Wars of the Roses, backed by the powerful Earl of Warwick. Tall, charismatic, and battle-hardened, Edward quickly became a symbol of Yorkist strength. But after marrying Elizabeth Woodville in secret, his relationship with the nobility fractured, setting the stage for betrayal and bloodshed.
Turmoil Behind the Crown
Edward's reign was plagued by rebellion, court intrigue, and shifting loyalties. His once-ally Warwick turned against him, briefly restoring Henry VI to power. Edward reclaimed the throne but never regained full stability. Distrust brewed among nobles and within his own family, especially between his ambitious brother Richard and the Queen's relatives.
An Early Death, a Royal Crisis
In 1483, Edward IV died suddenly at age 40. The cause was never confirmed - some suggest illness, others whisper poison. His 12-year-old son Edward V was declared heir, but never crowned. Instead, the boy and his younger brother were placed in the Tower of London by their uncle Richard, who would soon seize the throne as Richard III.
The Princes in the Tower
The young sons of Edward IV disappeared without explanation. No official death was recorded, and their fate remains one of England's greatest historical mysteries. Were they murdered? If so, by whom - Richard III, or another rival faction? Their bones may have been found centuries later, but no conclusive evidence has ever been produced.
History Written in Shadows
Edward IV's legacy is entangled in warfare, ambition, and the unquiet ghosts of royal succession. His reign brought temporary peace, but his death reopened a brutal power struggle. Skygaze explores how the truth of this king's final years and his sons' vanishing continues to elude historians - lost in the haze of royal propaganda and Tudor revisionism.
