Book Reviews

Article from pages 6 - 11 of Dickon Independent issue 46

BOSWORTH 1485: PSYCHOLOGY OF A BATTLE by Michael K. Jones

You know what it is like: you wait all day, sitting next to the rutted mud track that passes for a road, waiting for an ox-cart to give you a lift to the next village, then two turn up!

‘Tis the same with books on the battle of Bosworth. We had Michael Bennett for the quincentenary and subsequently Chris Gravett’s “Osprey”. Now in the second half of this year there are a further two works to enjoy and muse over.

Dr. Michael K. Jones’ book, published by Tempus, was launched on Friday August 23rd (have still to find out what was wrong the previous day). I was invited to attend at a bookstore in North London, but as it was on sale at the Battlefield Centre Shop on the previous Sunday, I went armed already, having read it. (‘Tis very readable.)

‘Twas way back in November 1999 that I attended a one day conference at the Public Record Office on “The English Experience in France c. 1450 - 1558, War Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange”, * most especially to hear Michael’s paper “The Myth of 1485 - Did France Really Put Henry Tudor on the Throne?” This greatly exceeded expectations. In the intervening years the author dropped tantalising nuggets of fact, heightening anticipation.

The finished work does not disappoint. (I have re-read it since.) ‘Tis mind-boggling in scope. The reader is taken through both the medieval mind thought processes plus Richard’s personal motivation in great detail. Why did men fight? The reasons why they fought, with other parallel military examples, are given. Richard’s self-image. The importance of the advancement of the family. The admiration for his father, his relationship with his mother, plus much more, are dealt with.

Bomb-shells come thick and fast. Cecily’s adultery; Edward IV’s illegitimacy. Richard at the centre of his family, not the outside loner. Richard taking the Harringtons’ side, against the Stanleys and his brother. Richard looking for a ‘great enterprise’: a feat of arms, crusading with chivalric ideals, only to end in defeat.

A chapter is devoted to Henry Tydder, so I suppose I will have to mention this claimed younger son of Henry VI (for French consumption, to gain their help). An about face for his anti-Yorkist feelings (marrying Elizabeth of York).

The battle itself is moved to north of Atherstone. We are reminded that Croyland identified the confrontation as at Merevale. Plus there is the matter of the compensation paid out. But could the Bloody Bank be the clincher?

The description of battle is purposefully brief (am sure that it will be fully discussed many times), but has followed the author’s “wish to evoke the chaos of battle”.

* I understand that this is now published by Ashgate, the price being £39.99 on Amazon. Edited by David Grummitt.

THE FIELD OF BOSWORTH by Ken Wright

Printed privately some little time prior to the 11th October. We older members can go back to 1985 when Ken had already been working on the content for fifteen years! The final words being added this year.

This is a book representing a tremendous amount of hard work, a labour of love, obviously by a local man. Ken is not interested in selling copies but I have encouraged him to place an advert in the “Ricardian Bulletin”.

By a straight-forward path liberally punctuated with national and local source notes, the reader is taken through Henry Tydder’s invasion and line of march. Likewise both of the Stanleys’ and Richard’s routes are followed and the composition of the rival armies discussed. As you would expect from a local man the topographic features are studied in considerable detail, with Ken identifying an alternative and convincing Sandeford. Since this, with Redemore Plain, is the earliest identification for the battle site (be it the source Henry Tydder is necessarily unreliable), and the French/Scottish/Lancastrian/rebel army is travelling along the Fenn Lanes/Roman Road (do not worry, there are maps), so the battle of Redemore is planned out.

In essence we, (you understand that I am not biassed), occupy the lower southern (where the wood now is) slopes of Ambion Hill and H.T.’s lot move off the Fenn Lanes with the marsh and the Sandeford to their right. Ken has Lord Stanley at Stoke Golding and Sir William Stanley at Dadlington, which I find unconvincing - if they were positioned that close together, surely they would exchange ridges (as Peter Foss has it).

And there are appendices: the site and history of King Richard’s Well (spring); possible burial sites; local village connections; Richard’s horse, and finally and most interestingly, Richard’s tomb and burial site.

My moan - no index! The plus - lots of original coloured illustrations, including artifacts found on the site.

These are two works, in many ways very different. Certainly I would not wish to judge who has correctly identified the battlefield site. (Of course, there is Peter Foss’ interpretation to take into account too.) Naturally I discount all those who place the royal army on top of Ambion Hill. Must confess that I feel these reviews terribly inadequate but would urge all members who have not read the books, to do so.

Doug Weeks


DESIRE THE KINGDOM by Paula S. Zabka

This, and the following two books, were my holiday reading! The first is a new novel sympathetically tracing the lives of Richard and Anne. Unfortunately it’s somewhat spoilt by spelling mistakes, and a few geographical errors, but quite a pleasant way to start a holiday. It soothed my nerves on board the plane.


RICHARD III by Caroline A. Halsted (two volumes)

I have owned this two volume limited edition since its reissue in 1977 and never read it until now. It’s a very thorough investigation into the life and times of Richard as duke and king, with many examples of evidence to show that he was a good king and a remarkable man. The original was published in 1844 and I was surprised at how much Caroline found out about this fascinating man. Many original documents are given in the appendices.

As a result of her interest in Richard, she met and married the Dean of Middleham and is buried in the church.

I’m glad I’ve finally read this book and regret not having done it sooner!


RICHARD III: LOYALTY, LORDSHIP AND LAW edited by P. W. Hammond

My final piece of holiday reading, this collection of essays was first published in 1986, and has been revised for this second edition of 2000.

It’s a diverse collection which includes chapters on John Howard, Margaret Beaufort, Richard’s dependence on his northerners, and Richard’s striving to be a good prince and improve the lot of ordinary people.

Two further chapters cover the justification of Richard’s claim to the throne being the illegitimacy of Prince Edward and his brother, followed by a round-up of what’s known about their disappearance and the bones found in the Tower.

Richard is compared to James III, a completely new idea to me, and Colin Richmond tries to sort out what happened at Bosworth, very topical following the publication of Michael K. Jones’ book on Bosworth - see the first review.

Lots of ideas which are new to me in this book and one I shall endeavour to read again.

Pam Benstead

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