The coup d'état by Richard of Gloucester: the issue of the Princes in the Tower and Richard III's position as a usurper
In 1483, Richard of Gloucester seized the throne from his young nephew Edward V. He imprisoned Edward and his brother in the Tower of London, declared himself king, and never produced the boys again.
Real World
Richard using his role as Lord Protector to seize power mirrors how Julius Caesar used his military command to march on Rome — an insider exploiting an institutionally legitimate position to execute an illegitimate seizure of supreme authority.
Exam Focus
The Princes in the Tower remain historically unresolved — in essays, acknowledge the uncertainty explicitly rather than asserting guilt as established fact.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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