Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

English Royalty
House of York

Armorial of Plantagenet
Richard III
   Edward, Prince of Wales


Edward of Middleham, also known as Edward Plantagenet (c. 14739 April 1484) was the only son of King Richard III of England and his wife Anne Neville.

The exact year of Edward's birth is uncertain, but he is known to have been born at Middleham Castle, a former possession of his maternal grandfather, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, between April 1473 and December 1474. In 1478, following the execution of George, Duke of Clarence for treason the title Earl of Salisbury was granted to Edward until his death. The title then became extinct until restored to Clarence's family during the reign of King Henry VII.

Edward was also invested as Prince of Wales following his father's succession as king of England in 1483. The investiture ceremony took place at York Minster, and contemporary records suggest it was arranged in a hurry. It is thought possible that the boy had been unable to travel to London for his parents' coronation because of ill-health, but that his condition had improved by the time they reached the north of England.

Edward's date of death is as controversial as his birthdate, with some sources listing it as 31 March 1484 and others as 9 April 1484. Edward's sudden death left his father without an heir, leaving the way open for Henry Tudor to take the throne at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Edward is buried in the parish church at Sheriff Hutton, another of his family's estates.

Edward Plantagenet is the only Prince of Wales to have been buried in a parish church.
Edward Plantagenet is the only Prince of Wales to have been buried in a parish church.
Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales
Born: c. 1473 1484
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Edward V of England
Prince of Wales
14831484
Succeeded by
Arthur, Prince of Wales
English royalty
Preceded by
Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York
Heir to the English Throne
as heir apparent

22 June, 1483 - 9 April, 1484
Succeeded by
Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick
Peerage of England
Preceded by
(new creation)
Earl of Salisbury
1478–1484
Succeeded by
(extinct)