"Bosworth Field. Any change in dispositions?" Topic

Given that the archaeological evidence points to Bosworth not being at Ambion Hill but actually being a couple of miles up the road, has there been any new theories as to the disposition of the forces and the course of the battle?

The traditional view is that Norfolk faced off against Oxford whilst Richard III held the Yorkist main "battle" behind Norfolk, Henry Tudor likewise deployed behind Oxford. William Stanley stood on the sidelines, probably to the north and Northumberland was stationed at the Yorkist rear, possibly deployed at an angle to keep an eye on Stanley but took no part in the fighting.

Oxford is outnumbered but holds his own against Norfolk who is killed in the fighting, command over the Yorkist vanguard being taken over by his son Surrey. Tudor, fearing that Yorkist numbers will eventually prevail, rides off with a small bodyguard to personally appeal to Stanley. Richard and his household charge to intercept Tudor, almost reaching the usurper but are overwhelmed by Stanley's Cheshire horsemen who charge in to win the battle and the crown for Tudor.

Has moving the battle given us any reason to change this view? I believe the new location doesn't have a hill but none of the above "orthodox view" requires a hill to make it viable.

Does anyone have any opinions or updates on this?

Has moving the battle given us any reason to change this view?

As far as I am aware, there is no archaeological or documentary evidence to change this view.
link

Looks like the jury is still out

link

Looks like the jury is still out

I expect that page will be updated when Glenn Foard's book is published next year.
"The Bosworth study will be published in 2013 as a jointly authored book by Dr Glenn Foard & Professor Anne Curry."
hud.ac.uk/aaarg/projects
Scroll down to read the whole article.

Ooo! that sounds like a good collaboration….

Interesting.

From what I can gather the new theory has Norfolk deployed on the Yorkist right, Northumberland on the left with Richard in reserve.

Tudor's main body, commanded by Oxford, marches across the Yorkist front with their flank protected by a marsh and attacks Norfolk with some success. Northumberland can't intervene as the Stanleys, who are deployed to the south, are hovering around his flank with intentions as yet unknown and the marsh probably hinders Northumberland too.

Richard sees Tudor and his bodyguard somewhat vunerable and some distance behind Oxford, charges out to attack them and comes within an ace of winning before Stanley intervenes.

It seems plausible but I'd like to see the proof backing it up and I find it odd that the Battlefield's Trust site says that WOTR armies deployed in 2 divisions. Maybe for this battle but the normal deployment was certainly 3 divisions. Good thought provoking stuff though.

From what I can gather the new theory has Norfolk deployed on the Yorkist right,

As you say interesting. Where did you find this new theory?

Hi Magard

If you read through the website in the link that you and 1815 Guy sent it's tucked away in there. I just summarised the theory the site proposes.

Regards
Alan

I live near Bosworth and the artillery rounds found proved the battle field is down the road……

Alan York is right, there was a local programme on the study recently, where they fired real guns with rounds on the field and the shot fell in the same areas.

M

If you read through the website in the link that you and 1815 Guy sent it's tucked away in there. I just summarised the theory the site proposes.

My apologies, I missed that section on the web site and didn't realise that was what you were looking at.

However, it is hardly a "new theory". The English Heritage Battlefield Report on Bosworth (1995) identifies at least one primary source that puts Northumberland on the left. Winston Churchill in his "history of the English Speaking Peoples" (1956) also puts Northumberland on the left. If Norfolk is on the right (as assumed by most books on the battle) then Richard must be in reserve. I also have a book "British Battles" (2002) which shows Northumberland on the left and Richard in reserve.

I find it odd that the Battlefield's Trust site says that WOTR armies deployed in 2 divisions.

This rather obvious error has now been corrected.