Edward V
Edward V remains as one of the most famous prisoners ever held in the Tower of London, largely became of the mystery that surrounds him and his younger brother. They were held together in the Tower of London by their uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester. After his father’s death in 1483, Edward V became the heir to the throne at the young age of 12. His younger brother, Richard was 9 and second in line to the throne.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester was named Lord Protector of Edward V and placed him in the Tower of London where he was to await his coronation. Edward’s mother, Elizabeth Woodville, took his sisters and younger brother into sanctuary at Westminster Abbey after Gloucester took possession of Edward. Eventually Elizabeth was convinced to allow Richard, Duke of York to join his older brother at the Tower of London.
In June, just a few months after the death of the King, the coronation was still being pushed back until finally a group of nobles petitioned for Gloucester to take the throne. Both princes were deemed to be illegitimate to rule by Parliament due to the marriage arrangement that had existed between Edward IV and Lady Eleanor Butler. Since the King married Elizabeth Woodville instead it was decided that her children were not eligible for the throne. Most consider this argument to just be an excuse for Richard, Duke of Gloucester to take the throne.
After being crowned Richard III, the boys were taken to the inner apartments of the Tower of London and all sightings of them ceased. While there was a report that Edward V was being seen by a doctor, the doctor said that Edward V sought remission of his sins believing that death was upon him. An attempt was made in July to rescue the boys but it failed and they were never seen again. To this day there is no proof that definitively states whether the boys lived out their lives or if they were murdered.