The Battle of Bosworth
22 August 1485
The Battle of Bosworth
King Richard III was the only king from the north, the last of the Plantagenet kings and the last king of England to die in battle. He was 32 years old when he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth. Through political intrigue and personal tragedy, his reign showed great promise.
With his death at Bosworth, the dynasty of the Yorkist period ended just as with the battle of Towton, it began. Henry Tudor became Henry VII and attempted to backdate his reign to 21 August in order to attaint for treason, the men who had fought for Richard III. While treason played a big role in the battle, none could deny Richard his bravery and courage, not even his enemies.
Polydore Vergil, Henry Tudor's official historian wrote "King Richard, alone, was killed fighting manfully in the thickest press of his enemies".
John Spooner, rode into the city of York the day after the battle. The Mayor and Alderman of York assembled in the council chamber and recorded "it was recorded by John Spooner that King Richard, late mercifully reigning upon us, was piteously slane and murdered to the grete heaviness of this citie". The citizens of York who regarded Richard as their "right high and mighty prince" did not forget nor forgive the betrayal of Richard.
The story of the battle of Bosworth has been told many times and each has its own variation, except the courage that Richard III demonstrated on the field of battle. This section of our website is a special area to those who have not only told their story but to those stories yet un-written.
As with the many facets of the life and times of King Richard III, we continue to search for that knowledge that will yield the truth.
Roll Call of the Battle of Bosworth -Comprehensive list of the men who fought and died at the Battle of Bosworth
Chronological Events Leading up to the Battle
Bosworth: the New Look - Chris Gravett
Michael K. Jones - Bosworth 1485: Psychology of a Battle
The Field Of Bosworth? by Ken Wright
Books and Articles relating to the Battle of Bosworth
Other Links
http://www.leics.gov.uk/community_services/sustainable_development/country_parks/bosworth/index.htm
Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre and Country Park - Email: bosworth@leics.gov.uk
ŠThe illustration is copyrighted to Mrs. Mary Kelly and The Richard III Foundation, Inc. Use of the illustration without the express permission by said owners are prohibited.
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