Battle of Bosworth Field

It took place on 22 August 1485 between the Yorkist King Richard III of England and the Lancastrian Henry Tudor, 2nd Earl of Richmond. 

 

Henry Tudor sailed from Harfleur in France, landing at Milford Haven in South Wales on 7 August 1485. As he marched inland, he continued to gain support and swell his numbers. 

 

Richard marched to meet Henry, his army vastly outnumbering Henrys by maybe three to one. They met on 22 August, south of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire. 

 

Richard divided his army into three groups on Ambion Hill, south of Market Bosworth. His vanguard led by John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, the rear-guard led by Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland and the centre led by Richard himself. 

 

Henrys army were positioned on more marshy ground, having to charge uphill to fight. As his army was not as substantial as Richards, he kept them together as one force. Henry personally knew little about the art of war but he recruited experienced battle veterans to take charge of his army and to give military advice. 

 

Henrys Lancastrian army was led by John De Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford, with Henry staying at the rear with his bodyguards. 

 

To gain extra support Henry turned to his step-father Thomas, Lord Stanley as he had his own army of six-thousand men, however Lord Stanley was not trustworthy. He was known for his political manoeuvrings between opposing sides, often standing neutral until he could clearly see who would be victorious, then choose the victorious side to support. Stanley positioned his army on a hilltop and watched the battle commence. 

 

Lord Stanley had previously served three kings, but his relationship with Richard wasn’t good and his loyalty could not be relied upon. Hoping to deter Lord Stanley from opposing him, Richard took his son Lord Strange hostage. 

 

Richard attacked with cannon fire as Henrys men tried to clear the marshland. Norfolk’s men and some of Richards advanced. Although outnumbered Oxfords Lancastrian army fought better at hand-to-hand combat, taking the advantage and many of Norfolk’s men fled the field. 

 

Richard signalled for his rear-guard, led by Northumberland to give support, however Northumberland did not move. 

 

Henry had distanced himself from his force; Richard noticed this and led a mounted charge at Henry, hoping to kill him and end the fight quickly. Seeing the attack Lord Stanley finally decided which side to support and he went to Henrys aid. 

 

Lord Stanley’s men surrounded Richard and his horse lost its footing dismounting Richard. He continued to fight on foot, but was killed by Stanley’s men. 

 

As news of Richards death spread, his forces started to disintegrate. Northumberland and his forces fled and Norfolk was killed in battle. 

 

Henry was crowned King Henry VII of England, heralding the start of the Tudor Dynasty. 

 

 

Fought - 22 August 1485 

 

Location - Ambion Hill, south of Market Bosworth, Leicestershire 

 

Participants - House of York and House of Tudor (Lancaster) supported by France 

 

York 10,000 

Lancaster 11,000 

 

Richard III 

John Howard, Duke of Norfolk 

Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland 

 

Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond 

John de Vere, Earl of Oxford 

Sir Gilbert Talbot 

Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke 

Rhys ap Thomas 

Philibert de Chandee 

Thomas, Lord Stanley 

Sir William Stanley 

 

Victory - House of Tudor (Lancaster) 

 

1,100 

Richard III (York) 

John Howard, Duke of Norfolk (York) 

Sir William Brandon (Lancaster) 

Sir Percival Thirlwall (York)