Richard III returns to Bosworth Field for final time

The Telegraph ^ | 3/22/2015 | Sarah Knapton

[Prospero]

The last time Richard III was at Bosworth Field the outcome proved less than satisfactory for the King.

The battle, which was the last significant skirmish in the War of the Roses, saw Richard not only lose the English throne but also his life.

[SeeSharp]

Robert Stillington was no witness and no one believed him at the time. He was a proven libeler. Edward had had Stillington thrown in prison for spreading rumors about his marriage in exchange for favors from his other brother, George. Richard simply dug him up and used him for his own purposes. Where was the girl Edward supposedly contracted a marriage with? Why didn't she or her family raise the issue? Who did the mother of the boys believe killed them?

Making the princes bastards was never going to be a permanent solution for Richard. Richard was unpopular and those boys would have been the focus of rebellion when they matured. Parliament had made them illigitimate and Parliament could reverse the decree with a vote, as indeed they did after Henry took the crown. Richard would never have been safe on the throne and his offspring would have had to face constant challenges as long as hi brother's sons lived. Henry Tudor was of the Beaufort line which had been blocked from the succession for generations, so Richard thought killing the boys eliminated the only legitimate challengers to his rule. He did it.

[Tax-chick]

Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England by Thomas Penn

[submarinerswife]

The White Queen on Amazon was a very well done series that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It linked the death of Henry VI to Edward II, Elizabeth Woodville marriage to Edward II, the death of Edwards brother George’s drowning in Malmsey wine, the Kingmakers Daughter and Richard’s usurping the throne from the young princes, Stanley’s army......etc.

There is a lot of history in the series. I only wish it would go beyond Henry VII becoming King on the battlefield. He was a truly amazing charector that deserves more exposure.

[freedomlover]

[submarinerswife]

First married when she was three years old. Second marriage when she was twelve. A pregnant widow at thirteen. I'll bet she was tough.

and tenacious. She had a destiny and she fulfilled it. She made sure that Henry was safe until the day that he could return to England to claim the throne that, she truly believed, God had commanded.

[ops33]

Thank you, will look for it on my kindle

[Hugin]

Yes it's the same, I don't know why Cornwell started calling them the Saxon Stories instead of Tales. One interesting fact is that Cornwell is actually descended from the rulers of Bebbenburg (now Bamburgh) which still exists, some of whom were named Uhtred, though it's by no means intended as a biography. It's certainly every bit as imposing a fortress as Cornwell describes, though of course back then it was only an earth and wood fortress, not a stone castle.

[Falconspeed]

Thank you for the helpful distinction between the house of York and the Tudors. The animosity of Henry VIII for Richard III makes more sense now.

[kalee]

For later

[Vanders9]

Quite so...and when its your life on the line, the horse is worth more than the kingdom.