The Road to Bosworth

The Road to Bosworth

Blog Article

In 1485, with the backing of disaffected English nobles and foreign allies, Henry launched his campaign to claim the throne. He sailed from Harfleur in France and landed in Pembrokeshire, gathering support as he marched through Wales and into England.

Richard III, aware of the invasion, mustered an army and marched to meet Henry near the village of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire. Despite outnumbering Henry’s forces—Richard commanded around 12,000 men to Henry’s 5,000—success was not guaranteed. The loyalty of several key nobles, most notably the powerful Stanley family, was uncertain.

The Battle of Bosworth

The battle began on the morning of August 22, 1485. Richard’s army occupied a strong position on Ambion Hill. Henry, cautious and outnumbered, maneuvered carefully on the field below.

The turning point came with the dramatic intervention of Sir William Stanley and Sir Thomas Stanley, Henry’s stepfather. Though nominally aligned with Richard, they had held back at the start. As the battle raged and Richard attempted a bold cavalry charge to kill Henry directly, the Stanleys made their move—attacking Richard’s flank at a critical moment.

Richard fought bravely, reportedly refusing to flee, and was eventually killed in the melee. His crown was later found on the battlefield and placed upon Henry’s head—a symbolic gesture marking the end of the Plantagenet era.

Aftermath and Legacy

With Richard III dead and his army routed, Henry Tudor was proclaimed King Henry VII, the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. To solidify his claim and heal the rift between York and Lancaster, he married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV, effectively uniting the two houses.

Henry VII's reign brought relative peace and stability to England. Through prudent governance, strategic marriage alliances, and financial reforms, he laid the foundation for a powerful Tudor state. The Tudor rose, a fusion of the red and white roses, became the emblem of unity. shutdown123

Report this page