Battle of Bosworth Field: A defining English battle the site of which has now been determined.

 

Battle of Bosworth Site

This evening, I am focusing on the correct site of the Battle of Bosworth which occurred on August 22nd 1485 in rural Leicestershire.

This defining battle was fought between the armies of King Richard III comprising about 12,000 men and Henry, Earl of Richmond with about 5000 men. The battle was won by Henry who later that day was crowned Henry VII. This battle represented the conclusion of a 30 year long, vicious civil war in England and the commencement of the Tudor dynasty which lasted for nearly 118 years.

By way of a recap, the Battle of Bosworth or Bosworth Field was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the Houses of Lancaster and York that extended across England in the latter half of the 15th century. Fought on 22 August 1485, the battle was won by the Lancastrians.

The defeated Richard III was buried in nearby Leicester as described in this blog post.

Some six years research by archaeologists and historians determined that the correct site of the battle is not as previously believed but straddling a former Roman road known as Fenn Lane, near Fenn lane Farm. This is three kilometres south-west of Ambion Hill and site of the existing battlefield visitor centre. The nearest town is Market Bosworth which is about 111 miles NW of London.

Battle of Bosworth Site

 

Access to Bosworth Battlefield Site