“The Survival of the Princes in the Tower by Matthew Lewis is a historical investigation into one of England’s most enduring mysteries—the fate of Edward V and his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York. Traditionally believed to have been murdered in the Tower of London in 1483, the book challenges this narrative by examining contemporary sources, political motives, and alternative theories. Lewis explores the possibility that one or both princes may have survived, questioning the role of Richard III and others in their disappearance. Thorough and thought-provoking, the book invites readers to reconsider long-held assumptions about a pivotal moment in English history.”
This book really got interesting when we reached the part that the title describes—the survival of the princes in the tower—not all the different theories about the murders and who the suspects might be. I already knew a lot of that information or at least a good majority of it. I was even aware of some of the imposters who came forward, pretending to be not only the princes but also their cousins. While this book provided me with a bit more knowledge on the topic, it was in the last few chapters, especially the final chapter, where things became truly intriguing. It presented different theories about whether the princes survived but went into hiding, posing no threat to the royal Tudor family because some deals could have been made.
I had never considered this theory before, and some of the evidence supporting it is mind-blowing—like evidence hiding in plain sight within works of art. It’s really intriguing to think about, and I cannot wait to research it further and hear different people’s opinions.
However, my complaints were that I already knew a lot of the information in this book, which made it feel like it was just regurgitating knowledge I was already familiar with. Additionally, especially at the beginning of the book, the writing was rather chaotic and all over the place, with a lot of backtracking. It just wasn’t clear and concise.
I would recommend this book if you’re new to the Wars of the Roses or the Tudor era in English history. I think this book is well-suited for that audience, but if you’re someone who is already well-versed in that part of history and have consumed a lot of media or other nonfiction books on the topic, this book probably won’t offer you much new insight.
2.75 out of 5 stars.
Izzy Reads 