Why Was Richard III Defeated at the Battle of Bosworth?
Why Was Richard III Defeated at the Battle of Bosworth?
On the 22nd of August 1485 Richard III, the last Plantagenet King, was defeated and killed in the Battle of Bosworth against Henry Tudor, who would found a dynasty which would feature the first Queen to rule in her own right and would last until 1603. Richard had over twice as many men as Henry but was defeated when, trying to get to Henry, Richard was slain by a rush of cavalry led by Sir William Stanley, the brother of Henry’s step father. However there are many contributing factors to Richard’s death and defeat including, Richard’s pride, Henry’s support from France and Wales, and the support from the Stanley’s at the crucial moment.
One reason why Richard was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth was his own pride. Two factors of Richard’s pride and dignity may have contributed to his death and defeat, the first is his desire to wear his crown into battle, some monarchs decided to do this two show of their kingship, however many chose not so they could not be recognised and targeted by the enemy in the battle. Although Richard was a very skilled soldier, it would have been helpful if the enemy did not know who he was, and his army was already not that supportive so showing that he was fighting with them might not have given them any boost of confidence at all. Richard’s second pride issue, was that he chose to target Henry himself, he knew that the Stanley’s would make the difference and that if he targeted Henry and the Stanley’s fought on Henry’s side, which they did, then he would die. If he had followed the guidance of his advisors and fled the battle then he would have survived and his cause would have continued, resulting in a possible success for Richard.
The second reason why Richard was defeated was Henry’s support from France and Wales, whilst living in France, Charles VIII was keen to help Henry, as this would make Richard weaker and fuel the every growing hatred between England and France.
On the 22nd of August 1485 Richard III, the last Plantagenet King, was defeated and killed in the Battle of Bosworth against Henry Tudor, who would found a dynasty which would feature the first Queen to rule in her own right and would last until 1603. Richard had over twice as many men as Henry but was defeated when, trying to get to Henry, Richard was slain by a rush of cavalry led by Sir William Stanley, the brother of Henry’s step father. However there are many contributing factors to Richard’s death and defeat including, Richard’s pride, Henry’s support from France and Wales, and the support from the Stanley’s at the crucial moment.
One reason why Richard was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth was his own pride. Two factors of Richard’s pride and dignity may have contributed to his death and defeat, the first is his desire to wear his crown into battle, some monarchs decided to do this two show of their kingship, however many chose not so they could not be recognised and targeted by the enemy in the battle. Although Richard was a very skilled soldier, it would have been helpful if the enemy did not know who he was, and his army was already not that supportive so showing that he was fighting with them might not have given them any boost of confidence at all. Richard’s second pride issue, was that he chose to target Henry himself, he knew that the Stanley’s would make the difference and that if he targeted Henry and the Stanley’s fought on Henry’s side, which they did, then he would die. If he had followed the guidance of his advisors and fled the battle then he would have survived and his cause would have continued, resulting in a possible success for Richard.
The second reason why Richard was defeated was Henry’s support from France and Wales, whilst living in France, Charles VIII was keen to help Henry, as this would make Richard weaker and fuel the every growing hatred between England and France.