Murder for Power – King Edward IV, King Edward V and King Richard III

1483 saw the third occurrence within the British Monarchy where three kings – Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III, ruled the throne within the one year. Beginning with his second reign in 1471, King Edward IV controlled the British throne until his death in 1483. Upon his death, King Edward IV left the throne to his eldest son Prince Edward. Ascending to the throne at just 13 years old, King Edward V was aided by his uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester as he was too young to rule the monarchy alone. Ruling for just two months, King Edward V was transferred to the Tower of London to await his coronation, along with his younger brother Prince Richard.

Days before Edward’s awaited coronation, both little princes were declared illegitimate as King Edward IV’s marriage to their mother, Elizabeth Woodville, became invalid - thus enabling the third in line for the throne, King Edward IV’s brother Richard to be crowned King Richard III. Within a month into King Richard III’s ruling, King Edward IV’s two sons mysteriously disappeared from the Tower of London – never to be seen again.

In 1674 the bodies of two children were discovered within one of the towers. Unable to identify who these two children were, the bodies were transferred and reburied at Westminster Abbey.

Celebrating the iconic year of 1936 – The final time that the British Monarchy experienced three different rulers within the one calendar year, the Niue 2011 Three Kings of 1936 Silver Proof is available for purchase at www.downies.com.