Published in 1882, The Prince and the Pauper is a historical fiction.
The young British Prince Edward, son of Henry VIII and Tom Canty look
alike. There is one difference between them: Tom Canty is a child of the
London slums whereas Edward is heir to the throne of England. The two
boys exchanges clothes on a whim. Tom lives in luxury and renders wise
judgments, whereas the ragged Prince Edward roams the city and discovers
the misery of the subjects. The real Prince wanders on the streets of
London and learns about the sufferings of the common people of England.
When King Henry dies, he returns to the palace to stop the coronation of
the false Prince and takes his crown. He rules as a kind king. The real
Prince Edward governs until his early death at the age of 15.