Royal Mysteries

An in-depth look at the true crime tales surrounding the British royal family during the eleventh to fifteenth centuries.

Royal murder mysteries never fail to intrigue readers and TV viewers. Here are some of the Middle Ages’ most haunting and horrific episodes. Based on the latest historical research and historiography, and authentic and rare sources, including archaeology and DNA evidence, these are wonderful tales of pathos, tragedy, suffering, and romance. This is history for specialists and general readers—and sceptics. The famous and also less well-known mysteries, which may be new to readers, surrounding British Royalty, are included from around the 11th to the 15th centuries.

The murder mysteries show personal and individual tragedy but are also a vehicle for historical analysis. William II—William Rufus—was he murdered or killed accidentally by a “stray arrow,” allowing brother Henry to seize the throne, or was it God’s punishment for William’s irreligious living and persecution of the church? Or was Edward II murdered at the instigation of Queen Isabella—“she-wolf of France”—and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who assumed the throne? Did he survive to live peaceably in Italy? Richard II resembled Edward II, as a rather inadequate figure, and was deposed by his rival, Henry IV. Did he die, and if so, was it murder or suicide? Was Edward IV a bigamist? Mystery, if not murder, but wrapped in dynastic rivalry and sex scandal, and usurpation of the throne. The “Princes in the Tower” and who killed them if anyone? A beguiling mystery for over 500 years with their usurping uncle Richard III’s guilt contested by “Ricardians.”