Edward V | Schoolshistory.org.uk

On June 25, 1483, the House of Lords and Commons declared King Edward V of England as illegitimate based on his parent's alleged bigamous marriage. An excerpt from the article:

"In London the Royal Council believed that it was right to crown the young king as soon as possible. Similar had been done with the accession of children in the past. Richard II and Henry VI had both had their coronations at a similar age. Richard, as Lord Protector, delayed any plans for a coronation.

Instead of protecting the King, Richard set about undermining his legitimacy. In May, Edward moved to the Tower of London. He was soon joined by his brother. Shortly afterwards a sermon was preached that stated that Edward IV had broken a contract of marriage to Lady Elizabeth Butler when he married Elizabeth Woodville. This, if true, would invalidate Edward V’s claim to the throne. The Duke of Clarence’s children had already been disbarred from succeeding to the throne due to Clarence’s execution for treason.

On 25th June 1483 a meeting of the Houses of Commons and Lords declared that Richard of Gloucester was the legitimate King, not Edward. Richard acceded to the throne the following day and Parliament confirmed his position in the Titus Regius soon after.

Edward was now the illegitimate son of Edward IV. He remained, with his brother, in the Tower of London. He continued to receive visitors and the physician saw him regularly. Gradually though, these visits reduced in number. Then stopped altogether. Edward and his brother, Richard, simply vanished."