Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Edward of Middleham

Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester,
Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Salisbury

Edward of Middleham with the White Boar of King Richard III. Illustration from the contemporary Rous Roll

Born

c. December 1473 or 1476
Middleham, Wensleydale, England

Died

9 April 1484 (aged 7–10)
Middleham, Wensleydale, England

Full name
English: Edward of Middleham Welsh: Edward o Middleham

House

York

Father

Richard III of England

Mother

Anne Neville

Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales (c. December 1473 or 1476 – 9 April 1484), was the only legitimate son of King Richard III of England and his wife Anne Neville. He was the heir apparent, meaning he was next in line to become king. Edward died when he was between seven and ten years old.

Edward's Early Life and Titles
Edward's Death
Where Edward Was Buried
Edward's Titles and Coat of Arms
- Titles Edward Held
- Edward's Coat of Arms
Edward's Family Tree
See also

Edward's Early Life and Titles

Edward was born at Middleham Castle. This castle was an important home for his parents, Richard and Anne, in northern England. Historians are not completely sure when Edward was born. Some say it was around December 1473, while others think it might have been as late as 1476.

Edward mostly stayed at Middleham. People at the time said he was often sick.

In 1478, Edward received his first important title: Earl of Salisbury. This title had belonged to another royal family member before. When Edward died, this title ended.

His father became King of England on 26 June 1483. This happened after his uncle, Edward V, was no longer king. Edward did not go to his parents' coronation ceremony, probably because he was unwell.

Later that year, on 8 September 1483, Edward received even more important titles. He was made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. This happened in a grand ceremony at York Minster, after his parents had traveled through England.

Edward's Death

Edward died suddenly on 9 April 1484. This date was also the anniversary of his uncle Edward IV's death. We don't know why Edward died so suddenly.

Edward's death meant that King Richard III no longer had a legitimate child to inherit his throne. Some people at the time thought Edward's sudden death was a punishment from God. They believed it was because of how his father became king and what happened to his cousins, Edward V of England and Richard, Duke of York. Edward's death also made it harder for King Richard to keep control of his kingdom.

Where Edward Was Buried

This statue at Sheriff Hutton Church was once thought to be Edward of Middleham. However, experts now believe it is an older artwork.

We do not know exactly where Edward was buried.

Edward's Titles and Coat of Arms

Titles Edward Held

15 February 1478 onwards: Earl of Salisbury
26 June 1483 onwards: Duke of Cornwall
19 July 1483 onwards: Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (a royal representative)
8 September 1483 onwards: Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester

Edward's Coat of Arms

Edward's coat of arms when he was Prince of Wales.

From 1483 to 1484, Edward used a special version of his father's coat of arms. It had a small design called a "label of three points Argent" added to show he was the heir.