Battle of Bosworth Field

The Battle of Bosworth took place on 22 August 1485. It was the last battle of the War of the Roses and was fought between Richard III of York and Henry Tudor of Lancaster, Earl of Richmond. Henry arrived in England (Milford Haven) on 7 August 1485 with his French and Welsh troops, but he had also recruited mercenary soldiers. After the landing he and his troops conquered Welshpool, Shrewsbury and Stafford. While Henry moved towards Lichfield, Richard was hunting in Sherwood Forest and was according to a Chronicler amused about Henry’s landing and was looking forward to beat him on the battlefield. Richard left Leicester on 21 August 1485 and marched with 12000 soldiers to Ambien Hill, near Market Bosworth. Henry had asked Lord Thomas Stanley and Sir William Stanley for support, because they were wealthy and had enough money to command a private army. There is still a debate going on if, Sir William Stanley had decided to join Henry before or during the battle. Nevertheless, Richard was more active in battle than Henry but just as Richard was trying to get to Henry’s standard, Sir William Stanley switched sides and fought with Henry against Richard. The battle lasted for almost two hours and was very brutal and at the end Richard was killed. He was the last English King who died in battle. After the battle, Henry was crowned as King Henry VII. and married Elizabeth, the niece of Richard III. The Unification of the Houses York and Lancaster ended the War of Roses and was the starting point for the reign of the Tudor dynasty for 122 years.

Sources: Fryde, Natalie; Vollrath, Hanna (ed). Die englischen Könige im Mittelalter – Von Wilhelm dem Eroberer bis Richard III. München: 2004.

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