Historic Yorkshire

Gems of
Medieval History

England's Armageddon

A Day in
Richard's Life

Bosworth

by Geoffrey Richardson

1. Richard's battle banner streams out from the point on Ambion Hill whence he launched his last charge on August 22nd 1485. The series of illustrations of the battlefield was taken in weather conditions very similar to those obtaining when the action was fought: sunny, some cloud, warm. [See the battlemap]

1A. Richard's banner seen from the other end of his line across the brow of Ambion Hill. This gives some idea of the narrow front on which the main fighting took place and the agricultural nature of the ground still applies today. [See position 1 on the battlemap]

2. From Position 1 looking down towards a row of trees [and a small stone wall] which roughly mark the rear of Norfolk's line after he moved forward to confront Oxford's uphill advance. [See 2 etc]

3. Continuation of the line of trees immediately to the rear of the main battle line. [See 3]

4. Beyond the tree-line, the steadily increasing slope up which Oxford led his men to meet Norfolk. [See 4]

5. Oxford's starting line along which he marshalled his forces after marching across Richard's front. [See 5]

6. Henry Tudor's view of the start of Richard's charge [See 6]

7. The flat plateau behind Ambion's brow where Richard kept the bulk of his cavalry watching [too long!] for possible hostile moves by Percy, or either of the Stanleys. [See 7]

8. The still-peaceful area where Percy's northerners allowed History to be made, with them as simple onlookers, seen through the line of trees bordering 7 above. [See 8]