It is London in the year 1537 and two
boys are born on the same day. One boy’s name is Tom
Canty and his family is very poor, and the second is called
Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, and is the son of King
Henry VIII. Ten years later, and Tom is begging for money
on the streets. He lives with his family, all crowded into
one room. Sometimes people don’t give him money and
then his father, John Canty, beats him. Everyday Tom
visits Father Andrew who teaches him many things. Tom
wants to be a prince and plays King and Princes games
with his friends. Everyday Tom goes to see Westminster
Palace, the home of the King and his young son, Edward,
and then one day he sees the young prince. The prince
invites Tom into the palace. The two boys talk about their
different lives. Edward becomes sad when he hears about
Tom’s friends because he himself has no one to play with.
Suddenly he has an idea. The two boys swap clothes and
now Tom is the prince and Edward the pauper. Before
leaving Tom alone in the palace, Edward puts a heavy
object (which we later learn is the Great Seal) under a cup
on a shelf.