The Princes in the Tower

Solving History's Greatest Cold Case

Philippa Langley

In 1483, Edward V (age twelve) and his brother Richard, Duke of York (age nine), disappeared from the Tower of London. History has judged they were murdered on the orders of Richard III. This new book reveals the truth behind the greatest unsolved mystery in English history.

Philippa Langley took the world by storm when, against all the odds and after a seven-year investigation, she discovered the grave of King Richard III (1452-1485) in a Leicester car park. A king finally laid to rest, the rediscovery and reburial of Richard III was watched by a global audience of over 366 million.

Now, in The Princes in the Tower, Langley reveals the findings of a remarkable new research initiative: "The Missing Princes Project." In the summer of 1483, Edward V (age 12) and his brother Richard Duke of York (age 9), disappeared from the Tower of London. For over five hundred years, history has judged that they were murdered on the orders of their uncle, Richard III.

Following years of intensive research in British, American, and European archives, Philippa has uncovered astonishing new archival discoveries that radically change what we know about the fate of the princes in the Tower. Established by Langley in 2016, "The Missing Princes Project" employs the methods of a cold-case police inquiry. Using investigative methodology, it aims to place this most enduring of mysteries under a forensic microscope for the very first time.

In The Princes in the Tower, Langley narrates the painstaking investigative work and research of the project. By questioning received wisdom, she and her international team of researchers shed light upon one of history's greatest miscarriages of justice, in turn revealing a surprising and phenomenal untold story.

Philippa Langley, MBE, is a historian and award-winning producer, best known for her discovery of Richard III. She is a co-author of the bestselling The Lost King with Michael Jones (first published as The King's Grave), and Finding Richard III. On the ten-year anniversary of discovering Richard III, her extraordinary story was released as an acclaimed feature film, The Lost King, directed by Sir Stephen Frears and starring Sally Hawkins. Her latest venture, "The Missing Princes Project," is an international initiative based on her rigorous original research to unveil the truth behind one of history’s greatest unsolved mysteries.

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Endorsements & Reviews

"The Princes in the Tower is a gripping and ingenious work of historical detection. Ms. Langley and her team have cast new light into a murky period, and with a methodological brilliance that eludes most academic historians." The Wall Street Journal, Dominic Green

"The discoveries in this book shed new light on events surrounding the Princes in the Tower. Rather than favour Tudor propaganda or Victorian revisionism, this asks us to go back to the time and scrutinize evidence with fresh eyes.” Dr. Janina Ramirez, University of Oxford, and # 1 bestselling author of Femina

"Philippa Langley has earned a reputation for tenacious and meticulous research based on sound principles of piecing together centuries-old records. The remarkable discoveries documented here are only the beginning." Annette Carson, acclaimed historical writer and biographer

Praise for The King’s Grave:

“A perceptive work that rights historical injustices.” Publishers Weekly

“The King's Grave tells two remarkable stories in alternating chapters.” The Wall Street Journal

"This is the year that Richard III rose up from his unmarked grave in a Leicester car park, and this is the book that describes the painstaking quest for the king's body, and the battle that destroyed him. This book is about an important excavation indeed, of the body from a lost grave, and of a king from a long libel.” Philippa Gregory, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“An exciting, engagingly narrated tale of the 'search to discover the real Richard III.’ Compelling throughout, this unlikely story of a three-week dig in an obscure car park is simultaneously informative and enchanting. Langley and Jones include extensive family trees and a helpful timeline. Ricardians rejoice!” Kirkus Reviews

“The authors present two well-realized and complete narratives, both of which are accessbile and fresh. Taken together they form a popular history combining an intriguing mystery, the moving story of Langley's personal journey, and a revisionist portrait of Richard.” Library Journal

"It is being called once of the most significant finds in archaeological history, shedding light on a king's last resting place and solving a 500-year-old mystery over his death.” The Daily Telegraph