Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales ( or 14769 April 1484), was the son and heir apparent of King Richard III of England by his wife Anne Neville. He was Richard's only legitimate child and died aged seven or ten.

Birth and titles Edward was born at Middleham Castle, a stronghold close to York that became Richard and Anne's principal base in northern England.Panton, p. 162-163 The exact date of his birth is uncertain, with contemporary records suggesting a range from late 1473 to mid-1476. The traditional date of December 1473 originates from post-contemporary Tudor-era chronicles, but historian Charles Ross argued that 1473 "lacks authority" and suggested Edward was probably not born until 1476, based on sources indicating no children existed by 1474.Ross, Charles. Richard III (Univ. of California Press, 1981) , p. 29, n22, citing P. W. Hammond Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales (1973) pgs. 12, 35–6, and also T. B. Pugh, Glamorgan County History III (1971) p 687. A well-informed contemporary source from September 1483 described him as "a little over seven years old" at his investiture as Prince of Wales, supporting a birth around 1476.

The act of Parliament in May 1474 that settled the inheritance dispute between George of Clarence and Richard, treating the Countess of Warwick as "naturally dead," included clauses protecting Richard and Anne's rights in case of divorce but made no provisions for heirs, which aligns with them having no children at that time.Ross, C.D., Richard III, St. Ives 1981, p.30C. Given-Wilson [ed.], Parliament Rolls of Medieval England, Edward IV – October 1472 – 2nd roll

Edward was mostly kept at Middleham and was known to be a sickly child, though there is no conclusive evidence of chronic illness.

In 1478, Edward was granted the title of Earl of Salisbury, previously held by the attainted George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence. The title became extinct on his death. His father became King of England on 26 June 1483, deposing Edward's cousin Edward V. Edward did not attend his parents' coronation, probably due to illness. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester in a splendid ceremony in York Minster on 8 September 1483, following his parents' royal progress across England.Kendall P.M., Richard III, 1955.

Death Edward died suddenly in April 1484. The Croyland Chronicle states it occurred "on a day not very far distant from the anniversary" of his uncle Edward IV's death (9 April 1483), leading to the common attribution of 9 April 1484. However, historian John Rous indicated death at "Easter-time" (Easter Sunday was 18 April 1484), suggesting a possible later date around mid-April. The cause is unknown, with speculation including tuberculosis or another short illness.

The Croyland Chronicle reads:

Edward's sudden death left Richard without a legitimate child. Contemporary historian John Rous recorded that Richard declared his nephew Edward, Earl of Warwick, his heir-presumptive, but there is no other evidence of this, and it seems unlikely as Richard's own claim was based on the attainting of Warwick's father.Pierce, Hazel, Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury 1473–1541 (University of Wales Press, 2009), p. 9. Similarly, John de la Pole, 1st Earl of Lincoln also seemed to have been designated as Richard's heir-presumptive, but was never publicly proclaimed as such.Wagner, John, Encyclopedia of the Wars of the Roses, ABC-CLIO, 2001, p. 211-212.

Richard's enemies were inclined to believe that Edward's sudden death was divine retribution for Richard's alleged involvement in the usurpation and subsequent disappearance of the sons of Edward IV, his nephews Edward V of England and Richard, Duke of York. It may have also emboldened them to renew hostilities.

Burial

The location of Edward's burial remains unknown. Contemporary sources like John Rous state he was "honourably buried at Middleham." Other proposed sites include Coverham Abbey, Jervaulx Abbey, York Minster, and Sheriff Hutton. A mutilated white alabaster cenotaph ("empty tomb") in the Church of St Helen and the Holy Cross at Sheriff Hutton in North Yorkshire, with an effigy of a child, was long believed to represent Edward of Middleham, but is now thought to be an earlier work depicting one of the Neville family, possibly from the first half of the 15th century. It may have been a temporary resting place while a more permanent site was arranged.

Legacy

To mark the 550th anniversary of the birth of Richard III’s son and heir, Edward of Middleham, a new plaque by the Richard III Society was unveiled in St Mary and St Alkelda Church by Philippa Langley. The unveiling took place on 8 September 2026. On this day in 1483, Edward of Middleham had been invested Prince of Wales in York. A leaflet leaflet:https://www.philippalangley.co.uk/EDWARD-OF-MIDDLEHAM%20LEAFLET_PAGE-BY-PAGE_MIDDLEHAM-CHURCH(2026).pdf about Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales, and his probable burial in the church accompanies the new plaque.

St Mary and St Alkelda Church at Middleham became a collegiate church in 1477 under Richard III (as Duke of Gloucester) and a Royal Peculiar during his reign. John Rous, the contemporary writer with close connections to the family, recorded: "the child died before his parents and is committed honourably to burial at Middleham.John Rous, the Warwick Roll, College of Arms, London. https://www.philippalangley.co.uk/EDWARD-OF-MIDDLEHAM%20LEAFLET_PAGE-BY-PAGE_MIDDLEHAM-CHURCH(2026).pdf

Titles, styles, and arms Titles 15 February 1478 onwards: Earl of Salisbury 26 June 1483 onwards: Duke of Cornwall 19 July 1483 onwards: Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 8 September 1483 onwards: Prince of Wales and Earl of ChesterKendall P. M., Richard III, 1955 Arms

From 1483 to 1484, Edward used the arms of his father, differenced with a label of three points Argent.

Ancestry

References

Bibliography