Edward V

1 8.1

King of England who became king at thirteen and disappeared from the Tower of London, presumed murdered

proper noun

: Eduardo V

As a child king, Edward V never got the chance to rule England independently.

Examples

Shakespeare's play 'Richard III' references the tragic story of Edward V.
Many historians debate the fate of Edward V, who vanished with his brother from the Tower of London.
As a child king, Edward V never got the chance to rule England independently.
King Edward V became king at a very young age.
Did Edward V really disappear from the Tower of London?
Many historians debate the fate of Edward V, who vanished with his brother from the Tower of London.
Did Edward V really disappear from the Tower of London?

Surface Forms

Edward V main

Morphology

Edward + V

This is a proper name: knowing the constituents 'Edward' (a personal name) and 'V' (the numeral five) only signals 'Edward the Fifth' but does not convey the referent's identity or biography. Proper names are referential rather than compositional, so a B1 learner who knows the words would not be able to derive that this refers to a specific historical English king who disappeared and was presumed murdered.

Etymology

Edward V was a very young English king who became king at about 13 but never really 'ruled'. He and his brother were kept in the Tower of London and later 'disappeared', thought to have been killed, so Edward V is remembered as a tragic child king who never got the chance to lead.