The Princes in the Tower
by
Alison Weir
"A surprisingly fresh & tremendously thorough contribution to the debate...Weir's book is, no doubt, not the last on this subject, but it might be the best...[She] constructs a devastating case...[&] brilliantly illuminates the nature of late-medieval political power."--
The Boston Globe
Despite five centuries of investigation by historians, the sinister deaths of t...more
The Boston Globe
Despite five centuries of investigation by historians, the sinister deaths of t...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
January 3rd 1994
by Ballantine Books/Random House (NY)
(first published January 1st 1992)
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This is my favorite book to mutter angrily at. I actually told my library that I lost it and paid for it so I could keep the copy I had scribbled angry comments in the margins.
That said, it's an excellent overview of the historical scenario of the time--it's very readable, if a bit pulpy. Unfortunately, Weir did not go into writing this book with an open mind--she went in condemning Richard, and it shows.
I read this right after reading Josephine Tey's excellent and eye-opening The Daughter of Ti...more
That said, it's an excellent overview of the historical scenario of the time--it's very readable, if a bit pulpy. Unfortunately, Weir did not go into writing this book with an open mind--she went in condemning Richard, and it shows.
I read this right after reading Josephine Tey's excellent and eye-opening The Daughter of Ti...more
Dec 08, 2011
Pete daPixie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history-roses,
conspiracy-schmiracy
Having read the Bertram Fields 'Royal Blood' investigation into this fifteenth century murder mystery, I travelled back in time to examine Alison Weir's 1992 publication of 'The Princes in the Tower.' Of the two, I have to go with Weir's verdict and pronounce Dick III guilty. Here was a coup, perhaps with Buckingham's help among others, but with Richard's hands all over it. Bloody hands too at Stony Stratford. All these dark deeds undertaken on his watch. No surprise he had trouble sleeping at n...more
The Princes in the Tower (these would be Edward V and brother Richard-- sons of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville); is a fascinating and unsolved mystery (cue Robert Stack) which hundreds of years later, STILL raises eyebrows, bogs some minds, and interests history and non-history buffs alike.
The desperately unlikable usurper Richard III, who does have a claim to the throne as a decendent of Richard, Duke of York who descends from both Lionel (Duke of Clarence) and Edmund (Duke of York) wh...more
The desperately unlikable usurper Richard III, who does have a claim to the throne as a decendent of Richard, Duke of York who descends from both Lionel (Duke of Clarence) and Edmund (Duke of York) wh...more
May 23, 2008
Kelly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
european history geeks
This book focuses around the short lives and mysterious death of the two sons of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. (Who, as a fun little anecdote, Edward IV threatened at knifepoint to get her to marry him. In any case.) They were declared illegitimate after Richard III took power, and imprisoned in the Tower of London and were never seen again. Richard III supposedly had them murdered within a year of this time. Alison Weir does clearly have a bias against Richard, but I think that the bias is...more
Jan 20, 2013
Erik Graff
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
English history fans
Recommended to Erik by:
no one
Shelves:
history
Having read Tey's famous novel, I thought reading a contrary account by an historian would be adviseable. Besides, knowing a bit about the Tudors from Henry VIII through Elizabeth, I wanted to learn more about the first Tudor king, Henry VII. Finally, having seen Shakespeare's Richard III, I wanted to be able to compare his representation of the monarch with the historical evidence.
Weir certainly gives the appearance of being on top of the material, such as it is, regarding the reign of Richard...more
Weir certainly gives the appearance of being on top of the material, such as it is, regarding the reign of Richard...more
This was an interesting book that covered the murder of Edward V and his brother, Richard of York, as well as histories of the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III (and a bit of Henry VII). The book is well-researched, and very readable. I also thought her source explanations were a good idea, and the family tree in the back of the book was also useful.
I would have liked a little more information on the family dynamics of Edward IV and his queen; the princes had many siblings and I wondered what...more
I would have liked a little more information on the family dynamics of Edward IV and his queen; the princes had many siblings and I wondered what...more
Medievalist Alison Weir sets her sights on one of history's most controversial mysteries with this volume. At the conclusion of the Wars of the Roses in England, everyone thought that things would settle down. The House of York had defeated the House of Lancaster and seemed firmly in control of the country with Edward IV ruling. The only problem is that Edward dies with his two sons Edward and Richard in the minority (ages 12 and 10).
Edward's brother Richard definitely was loyal during the civil...more
Edward's brother Richard definitely was loyal during the civil...more
I’m clearly a fan of Weir as both an historian and a writer of historical fiction. And I was no less impressed with her research behind the murder of Edward IV’s two young sons, Edward V and Richard, the Duke of York, at the hands of Richard III – who usurped the English throne during the tumultuous years now referred to as the War of the Roses.
Although there is certainly no surprise that Weir reaches her verdict that Richard is solely responsible for ordering the two princes deaths while locke...more
Although there is certainly no surprise that Weir reaches her verdict that Richard is solely responsible for ordering the two princes deaths while locke...more
From the start, Weir states that she believes that Richard III is guilty. I've actually always thought this, based on the evidence, but Weir seems to go above and beyond. Other reviewers have said that she's quite biased against Richard, and though I don't disagree, I still feel that she has some valid points.
One issue I had with the book, though, is that it kind of reminded me of a History Channel or Discovery Channel special where they advertise it as finally solving a certain mystery, such a...more
One issue I had with the book, though, is that it kind of reminded me of a History Channel or Discovery Channel special where they advertise it as finally solving a certain mystery, such a...more
I really enjoyed this book - and thought it absolutely fascinating in many respects. However I did get a strong feeling of bias against Richard lll from Alison Weir right from the start. Many of Alison Weir's evidence is taken from gossip and the annoymous Croyland chronicles which she assumes were written by someone on the council - which would give them more validity. Although I suspect her of a strong bias - something an historian shouldn't have - she convinced me - which I suppose is what th...more
I've started this book twice, now, and quit at about the same place midway through it. I give up.
Alison Weir is a masterful British historian and can be a compelling writer who breathes new life into historical characters, both in fiction and biography. (See, for example, Innocent Traitor and Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley--both memorable page-turners.)
The Princes in the Tower, however, seems to be written more for academics than for general readership. While it seems to fai...more
Alison Weir is a masterful British historian and can be a compelling writer who breathes new life into historical characters, both in fiction and biography. (See, for example, Innocent Traitor and Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley--both memorable page-turners.)
The Princes in the Tower, however, seems to be written more for academics than for general readership. While it seems to fai...more
Weir presents her evidence, but while she promised to examine it objectively, it's clear as soon as she begins on Richard's accession to the throne that she firmly believes him to be guilty. That is nowhere near objective, first of all, and secondly, she glosses over that Richard and John Morton had a falling-out over the war in France. Human nature is human nature, and if John Morton was keeping a grudge, then I severely doubt he'd tell Thomas More an impartial account of Richard's court.
True,...more
True,...more
It was good, so good I actually managed to read it in two days. Generally, familial interruptions ruin my reading time in a good way. It did not seem to contain any shocking conclusions, however, I am no fifteenth century scholar or a novice historian of the English monarchy, so I could have overlooked them. I enjoyed it and gained a better understanding of the War of the Roses and pre-Tudor dynasty England. I tried to read her book about the War of the Roses but it became too complex and diffic...more
I'm of two minds on ALison Weir's The Princes in the Tower. At first it was good, and descriptive. Weir explains her sources and chronologically guides us to what happened with the young princes. It means that we can get a good details of Edward IV and his reign and Richard III when he was still duke of Gloucester.
But it dwindled after that. It was like Weir was having personal vendetta against him. She passionately pointing out in every imaginable ways why we have to think Richard III is the m...more
But it dwindled after that. It was like Weir was having personal vendetta against him. She passionately pointing out in every imaginable ways why we have to think Richard III is the m...more
On the one hand, Princes in the Tower is a great representation of Weir's research and storytelling capabilities. Her logic, as usual, is not only sound, but brilliant, and she makes her thesis defense effortlessly and clearly. At times, her conclusions seem so obvious that it's disturbing that such conclusions have only recently been made regarding a 500 year old mystery. Her research is well documented and easy to follow, as is the case with all her books.
On the other hand, you can tell that t...more
On the other hand, you can tell that t...more
One of Great Britain's age old mysteries - what happened to the princes in the tower? Most historians believe that Richard III had his nephews murdered so he could be king and all the evidence Weir brings certainly doesn't make me think otherwise. Granted, there could be evidence that supports another perpatrator, but I have yet to read that book. There are those that think Richard III got a raw deal - but what isn't debated is that he stole the throne from his nephew. He wasn't happy with being...more
A careful and thorough examination of the evidence related to the fate of the princes in the tower.
Weir does her best to be objective, beginning with a very thorough evaluation of the credibility of the major contemporary and near-contemporary sources. One of the things that this book makes clear is that the documentary evidence is scant enough, and some of the events just plain odd enough, that it's impossible not to bring some biases and assumptions to one's interpretations of events. Weir, a...more
Weir does her best to be objective, beginning with a very thorough evaluation of the credibility of the major contemporary and near-contemporary sources. One of the things that this book makes clear is that the documentary evidence is scant enough, and some of the events just plain odd enough, that it's impossible not to bring some biases and assumptions to one's interpretations of events. Weir, a...more
I have read the book with a somewhat biased view, for I had already concluded that Richard III was responsible based on my own extensive research. It seems strange to me that so many reviewers are criticizing Weir for relying heavily on Sir Thomas More. She explains the theories of every contemporary account and then explains why her research discounts most of them except for More's. That is the job of any historian, separating logic from fantasy. More's explanation of where the princes were bur...more
Alison Weir manages to write a fascinating book using carefully researched pieces of information from a period of history that has patchy first hand records. Amazingly she says that quite a lot of information still waits to be fully researched. The book is clearly written and has much detail. I personally feel that I absorbed only a small amount though, the period of history having very complex politics based on convoluted family relationships, and I was hampered by most individuals having both...more
This book is a hypothesis of the fate of Edward V and his brother Richard, who were 10 and 12 when they were shepherded into the Tower of London and never seen alive again.
Did their uncle, Richard III, have them killed? Was it Henry VII? Alison Weir's book is a thorough, well-researched body of evidence that definitely points to one person.
The book was scholar-dry to read, but you can't argue the research and objectivity behind it. Weir takes extreme pains to gauge the veracity of sources quote...more
Did their uncle, Richard III, have them killed? Was it Henry VII? Alison Weir's book is a thorough, well-researched body of evidence that definitely points to one person.
The book was scholar-dry to read, but you can't argue the research and objectivity behind it. Weir takes extreme pains to gauge the veracity of sources quote...more
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This one was not as good as other books I have read by Weir. Perhaps because it is one of her earliest works. Whatever the reason, this one did not engage me like the others did and it took me longer to get through then I would have liked. I had to make myself pick it up and read it, whereas others by Weir I have had a hard time putting down.
The beginning of the book moved quite quickly through a chunk of history to set the background and it was very confusing. Additionally I usually find Weir...more
The beginning of the book moved quite quickly through a chunk of history to set the background and it was very confusing. Additionally I usually find Weir...more
Alison Weir sets out to make the case that Richard III murdered the princes in the tower, his nephews Edward V and Richard, Duke of York. It's clear from the start that she despises Richard and she views all evidence in light of how it might show his guilt. While I don't disagree with the idea that he was the most likely person to have ordered the murder of the princes, what I found most convincing was something she hinted at but never really explored in her narrative (because she was too busy h...more
There were two princes of England who were eight and twelve when the oldest of the two inherited the throne. Their father had died unexpectedly young and this lead to an unfortunate power struggle. The two boys were ultimately locked up in the White Tower by their uncle, Richard III who then assumed the throne.
This book takes the debate, and approaches it in a very linear and logical fashion. The author lists all of the sources of reliable information and lists not only what she considers to be...more
This book takes the debate, and approaches it in a very linear and logical fashion. The author lists all of the sources of reliable information and lists not only what she considers to be...more
The mysterious and brutal deaths of the boy king Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, still brings fascination despite five centuries into the details of what happened to the Princes in the Tower. English historian Alison Weir reconstructs the entire chain of events leading to the double murder, examining contemporary evidence as well as dozens of modern accounts. This is an interesting piece of historical research and a riveting story of conspiracy and deception in which the...more
I see a number of goodreads reviewers have stated that they think this book is biased against Richard III. I came at this book as a complete novice (and realizing there are huge holes in my knowledge of British history). I am definitely putting trust in her background as a historian to have sifted the evidence and come to a conclusion. I would not expect an expert to present both sides equally, but to use her abilities and background to evaluate sources and evidence, sharing with me why she thin...more
I am not, nor have I ever been, a member of the Richard III Society. My husband was (I bought a membership for him as a birthday present) and occasionally wears a sweatshirt with the White Boar emblazoned across it. He remains a staunch Ricardian (and a champion of James I, the subject of his thesis for his Honours History).
This book would drive him crazy. I had never heard of Alison Weir; she seems to be a prolific writer. She pretty much agrees with Shakespeare's portrayal of Richard, opening...more
This book would drive him crazy. I had never heard of Alison Weir; she seems to be a prolific writer. She pretty much agrees with Shakespeare's portrayal of Richard, opening...more
Aug 23, 2009
Caroline Selby
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2009,
alison-weir
In the late 15th century, the 14-year-old King Edward V and his 12-year-old brother Richard, Duke of York, disappeared, imprisoned in the Tower of London by their uncle, Richard III, never to be seen again.
It is generally accepted that Richard ordered his nephews' deaths in order to secure the throne for himself. This book looks at all the evidence of those few years of Richard's reign to prove this.
All the evidence is circumstantial, but compelling. I don't think there's any doubt he removed...more
It is generally accepted that Richard ordered his nephews' deaths in order to secure the throne for himself. This book looks at all the evidence of those few years of Richard's reign to prove this.
All the evidence is circumstantial, but compelling. I don't think there's any doubt he removed...more
Alison Weir is such a master historian and story-teller. I love how she gives me a view into life in England through her meticulous research into surviving documents. She even discusses the "contemporary" historians of the time and their biases in order to assess which of them offer the most accurate accounts of what was happening. This would be a perfect subject for "The History Detectives" program on PBS-- full of intrigue, mystery, and political scheming. Whenever I read one of Alison Weir's...more
Alison Weir failed to convince me that Richard III was responsible for the deaths of the little Princes. Josephine Tey made a valid observation that Sir Thomas More was eight years old when Richard died.Because he was so biased in favour of the Tudors, I would tend to omit references to his writings about Richard III. If this is considered, I think Ms. Weir's case is weakened considerably. It also seems counterintuitive that a man who was a dignified Duke, loyal, just, amiable, a great administr...more
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Alison Weir (born 1951) is a British writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.
Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her...more
More about Alison Weir...
Alison Weir (born 1951) is a British writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.
Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her...more
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