THE 2025 Season of monthly history talks and guided tours of St Matthew’s Church at Coldridge re-starts on Thursday, February 27.
Two tours will be held on the day, bookable in advance, starting at 11am and 2pm. Each will start with a short talk followed by a guided tour led to illustrate the history, curiosities and clues concerning the mystery of Edward V and the Princes in the Tower contained within St Matthew’s Coldridge.
One of the enduring mysteries of mediaeval history is the story of The Princes in the Tower. Were they really murdered by their uncle, Richard III? Several alternative theories have emerged over the years. There has been a lot of recent interest in what might be a local connection. A group of researchers are exploring the possibility that the young Edward V did not die in the Tower of London, but lived on in Coldridge under a different identity.
Born in 1470, Edward V succeeded his father Edward IV in 1483 but was never crowned. He was deposed by his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, who reigned as Richard III. The disappearance of Edward V and his younger brother were shrouded in mystery, with historians generally accepting that they were most likely murdered on the orders of the new king.
In 2012 it was Richard III’s remains that were discovered and excavated from under a Leicester car park. Local historian John Dike recently explained: “There is good reason to believe that the Princes in the Tower were not murdered, but were instead relocated out of the political arena to a quiet spot here in Devon as part of a deal struck between Richard III and their mother, Elizabeth Woodville. “It is possible Edward V lived here in Coldridge under the pseudonym John Evans with many clues backing up this theory to be found in St Matthew’s Church.” The mystery still remains but there are clues galore in St Matthew’s Church which some believe point to a Coldridge connection with Edward V.
For the guided tours, there is no entry charge but donations in aid of work to preserve the church will be gratefully received. To reserve places on a tour, request a group booking or if you have any further questions please contact the church tours team via the following email: coldridgeparishchurch81@gmail.com. Bookings close at 6pm on the Tuesday prior to a month's tour day.
St Matthew’s Church is otherwise open daily between 10am and 4pm for personal visits.
To complement visits, delicious home-made refreshments will be available in the “Coldridge Café” in Coldridge Village Hall between 10am and 3.30pm on Thursday, February 27, serving hot and cold refreshments and home-made cakes. A hot lunch menu is also available between 12 noon and 2pm. All are welcome to go along to the Coldridge Cafe, local residents and those on the guided tours.