Battle of Bosworth - Why Henry Tudor Won

Battle of Bosworth - Why Henry Tudor Won

1. 22nd August 1485

2. Foreign Support for Henry

   • Charles VIII (King of France)
     • 1800 mercenaries (payed soldiers)
       • Martin Schwartz - experienced commander
         • 60,000 Francs
           • Ships
     • Sanctuary in France
   • The fact that the Buckingham Rebellion failed showed that he needed more support
   • Welsh Heritage - "Son of the Prophecy"
     • Rhys Ap Thomas - owned South Wales (by Richard III but switched sides) gave 1800 welsh mercenaries
   • 1471-1484 Henry was supported by the Duke Of Brittany

3. Richards Weaknesses Prior To Bosworth

   • Ruler of the North
     • Gave it to his nephew the Earl of Lincoln instead of Northumberland who became the Commander of Reserves (in charge of the backup army)
       • As a result Northumberland didn't listen to him on the battlefield and could be argued as a factor to why Richard lost
   • Seen as an untrustworthy king - caused people to walk off of the battlefield because they didn't want to risk their lives for an untrustworthy king
   • North & South divide
   • Rumours about Princes in the tower - people thought Richard was guilty of killing both of Edwards sons and therefore he lost support and faced opposition because of this (e.g. Duke of Buckingham & Lord Hastings
   • Re-introduces benevolence taxes (noblemen taxes) because the Scottish Invasion cost a lot of money therefore he needed more to stabilise his reign

4. Richards problems at Bosworth

   • Charged towards Henry down Ambien Hill (where he had a military advantage on higher ground)
   • Lord Stanley controlled 1/3 of his troops (5,000)
   • Duke of Norfolk was killed (Richards Commander)
   • Northumberland watched from the sides as a result of not being given Ruler of the North

5. Henry's Advantages Prior to Bosworth

   • On Christmas Day he promised to marry Elizabeth of York
     • Strengthens claim
     • Unites the two houses ( Yorkists & Lancastrians)
       • Gains support
   • Maregret Beaufort (mother) promoting him to noblemen
     • Married to Lord Stanley so quite influential
     • She was the link between Henry and Buckingham
   • Learned from the mistakes and failure of the Buckingham rebellion that he needed more support

6. Henrys Advantages at Bosworth

   • Only Lancastrian claimant
   • He had Lord Stanley as a stepfather - very influential
   • 1471-1484 Henry was supported by the Duke of Brittany
   • Foreign Support
   • Richard III had no heirs tot he throne and his wife was dead