The Children of Edward IV
by Paul Delaroche
(French painter, 1797-1856)
EDWARD IV died in 1483, leaving a son as rightful heir
to the throne. However, Richard, brother of Edward IV,
who had been made Protector, contrived to get
possession of the child and also of his younger
brother, and to make himself king. In order to make his
crown more secure, he determined to murder the two
boys; and the business was put into the hands of Sir
James Tyrrel. The governor of the Tower, where the
princes were confined, was ordered by letter of the
king to give the keys to Sir James. The unscrupulous
man chose his agents, and at midnight, when the boys
were asleep, the murderers stole into their room and
smothered them with the bedclothes. Sir James came to
make sure that they were dead, and ordered that their
bodies should be buried at once in the courtyard. He is
said to have received from the king a most extravagant
reward for his villainy.
The boys are here represented in their gloomy apartment
in the Tower. They are trying to read, but their faces
show plainly the fear that is upon them. The face of
the younger manifests merely dread of something, he
knows not what; but on that of the older is reflected a
knowledge of the fate that must be expected. The dusk
of evening is already closing about them; a few hours
and they will be no more.
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