Did Richard kill Edward of Lancaster (the Prince of Wales), Henry VI and the duke of Clarence?
No. There is no contemporary evidence to support any claim that Richard murdered these people. He may have been present in the Tower on the night of Henry VIs death but it is generally accepted today that the responsibility for the demise of the late king rested solely with King Edward. Contemporary sources state that Edward of Lancaster died in battle at Tewkesbury and suggestions of Richards involvement only emerge in the Tudor period. The duke of Clarence was privately executed following the successful passing of the Bill of Attainder against him in a parliament assembled for this purposes by King Edward. It was judicial murder and the responsibility lay with Edward IV, not Richard. There is no evidence that Richard was in any way involved in Clarence’s death. To learn more of these alleged crimes click here.
