Category: History > Succession
In 1483, the sudden death of King Edward IV of England set off a chain of events that would dramatically alter the course of the English monarchy. His young son, Edward V, was only 12 years old and was to ascend the throne, but the power struggle that ensued was intense. Edward IV's brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who would later become Richard III, seized the opportunity to assume control as Lord Protector for the young king. However, Richard's ambition led to his controversial decision to declare Edward IV's marriage invalid, subsequently declaring young Edward illegitimate and taking the throne for himself. This pivotal moment not only sparked the Wars of the Roses but also set the stage for the eventual downfall of the Plantagenet dynasty, showing how ambition and familial betrayal can reshape history.
