What Actually Happened At The Battle Of Bosworth? | Wars Of The Roses

'Incredible Wars Of The Roses Find Artefact At Bosworth Battlefield!'
History Hit's Matt Lewis travels to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre in Leicestershire to meet Richard Mackinder, an archaeologist who has spent the last two decades scouring the earth around the site where King Richard III and Henry Tudor clashed in one of the most famous battles in English history.
In this time, Richard and his team have found a multitude of incredibly well-preserved objects that provide new insight into where the Battle of Bosworth took place, what sort of weapons were used, where Richard III fell and where Henry Tudor was crowned King of England.
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#BattleofBosworth #WaroftheRoses #HistoryHit

[@j0nnyism]

Wow the boar badge brings history alive. It reminds us that these were real people living through real events. An evocative find

[@classiclife7204]

Finding that tiny little boar badge was HUGE. Pretty sure Richard fell within 30 meters of the location where the boar was found, as it's unlikely that an important retainer would be way off from his king. Fascinating.

[@tim7052]

Either that or that retainer - seeing that Richard had been hacked to death - was running away trying to save himself from a similar fate?

[@classiclife7204]

@@tim7052 A less romantic, but I have to admit, a bit more likely, scenario.

[@j0nnyism]

The fact it was found on the edge of the historic marsh makes complete sense looking at the records of the battle

[@paigetomkinson1137]

@@tim7052 Right, it could be that. And, he could have tried to get rid of the evidence, so to speak, by ripping the boar off his clothing and throwing it to the ground, out of fear of being slaughtered himself. I couldn't tell from the video, was the boar the kind of embellishment that would have been sewn on, or more like a pin? Both methods were used, and knowing which was used with the boar would give a little more information about it. If it had been seen to the wearers clothing, it would indicate that the owner had used force to remove it.

[@tim7052]

@@paigetomkinson1137 I agree! But unfortunately we'll never know the events that lead to that boar being found at that spot. As macabre as it may sound, it could also have formed a part of a victors' post-battle loot taken from the bodies, which simply dropped off into the mud? We'll never know for sure.

[@aidanrogers4438]

I’m currently writing my MA dissertation on the Wars of the Roses so I’m finding this absolutely fascinating.

[@michael7324]

Good luck Aidan. A great subject to research.

[@lissaallan]

Oh good luck, my MSc is in Military History. What are you focusing on?

[@Ashleykeithdavidharper]

Just a suggestion that I think you would be interested in type in the search bar Richard 3rd documentary and you will find where he was laid to rest

[@JB-uv4hm]

Is there a book that covers Bosworth with the latest evidence?

[@zaker721]

Are you white or red?

[@stephenrojas6533]

I freaking love history hit! Always provides me with that “hit” of history when I need it! Great work mates!

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Chaps you into history

[@l.plantagenet]

Matt Lewis has quickly become one of my favourite historians. Not just because he's a Ricardian like me but he's not totally one sided. He does a ton of research for his work and he brings out Richard's warts as well as his good qualities. I have several of his books and they are fantastic. I highly recommend him to anyone who hasn't checked him out yet.

[@SD_Alias]

Great video! It would be very cool if someone would make a reconstruction of the landscape at 1485 and put it as an overlay over todays google earth map for comparison.

[@trejea1754]

I’m glad to have found another excellent source of history videos! As an American, what I previously knew of the battle of Bosworth, I learned from the Black Adder.

[@davidrobinson4553]

I'm so happy that they found the actual battlefield, so many variables.

[@monicacall7532]

Fascinating video. The boar badge really brought the battle home to me and the fact that whoever had worn it must’ve been in very close proximity to Richard III at the very end of his life at Bosworth Field took some time for my mind to fully process. As for the Stanleys, they were in an unenviable position. Lord Stanley’s son had been taken by Richard as surety that Stanley wouldn’t go over to Richmond’s (Henry VII) side, and yet Stanley was Henry’s stepfather. Fortunately for Henry, his stepfather chose to fight for his side in the end. I wonder how Stanley’s son felt when he heard the news.

[@chrisstanley2538]

Can you imagine how I feel for my Grandfather's, Thomas saving his son, OMG. Thanks too, Uncle William Stanley Hey 👋 Britain 🇬🇧 we helped 🇺🇲 find Richard's in 2011

[@Rusty_Gold85]

The owner could have died slowly trying to get water and then stripped of clothes over the next day or hours of battle. From what I know most are left where they became Battle injured ( A lot of injuries succumb slowly)

[@keirfarnum6811]

With Richard dead, wouldn’t that possibly free Stanley’s son? Does anyone know that history?

[@rogueriderhood1862]

@@keirfarnum6811Yes, Lord Strange, Lord Stanley's son, wasn't executed. Curiously, though, Sir William Stanley, who saved Henry Tudor's life was executed some years later for treason, by Henry. I wonder if, at the execution block, Sir William wondered if he had made the right choice at Bosworth. Gratitude and loyalty don't seem to have been a strong characteristics in the Tudors.

[@ajwhhis]

Best history/archeology channel. Full stop. The quality of these docos.. sensational. Thank you.

[@kingmaker2865]

Richard is a great guy, he has done a lot for bosworth. Have met him a few times at the reenactment. And soon it will be time to Don my armour once again. Roll on August

[@zaker721]

Are they doing the reenactments at Bosworth still? I thought those were ending. If they are I’m glad. Just before covid hit there was some talk of a driverless car track being built at Bosworth, which seemed…just horrible.

[@kingmaker2865]

@@zaker721 this August is the first battle going ahead since COVID. So it's still going on.

[@clivebaxter6354]

child murderer

[@spuddart3540]

I read half of your comment assuming you were talking about Richard III....🤦‍♀️

[@kingmaker2865]

@@spuddart3540 Haha god no!

[@afetbinttuzani]

Thanks for this. Well done. For future videos, where relative elevation and visibility matter significantly, I suggest using colour-coded topographic maps, or a colour-coded topographical overlay, which would allow us to appreciate the relative elevations and therefore visibility.

[@l.plantagenet]

That's a great idea. That would help bring it "more alive" as they say when trying to vision the battle as it was.

[@jf7243]

A wonderful piece with excellent archeological evidence for surmises and historical layout. The silver boar was beautiful! The wintry landscape and naked oaks silhouetted were apt!

[@mrdeliberate5175]

History hit! Love it! Thanks! :D

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you!

[@clivedavies5618]

What an excellent documentary! Intelligent, informative and not making rash claims but convincingly presenting hard evidence.With the discovery of Richard's remains in the Leicester car park and further research on the newly found battlefield based on the scatter of canon balls we have a whole new perspective on the battle and it's aftermath. English Heritage accepts the newly found site as being THE Bosworth Field, The 2011 Time Team Special details the cannon ball research.

[@soulfate2]

So amazing.. amazing to walk around with a metal detector and just feel and respect the vibe and what happened there long ago And anyones ancestors who fought there.. respect!

[@carveraugustus3840]

Henry VII is pretty interesting, but we don't hear from him super often in Tudor media. Thanks Matt Lewis, for a new battle and King to study.

[@kfernandes268]

I love History. This is marvelous! Living every bit of it.

[@ianlawrie919]

Fabulous to see and feel Richard the archeologists enthusiasm for the evidence 👍👌

[@MaverickSeventySeven]

An excellent clarification of a convoluted event! Such a significant battle .

[@jasperlilienfeld505]

This is so interesting. I remember doing The Wars of The Roses for my A-level history and loving it. Medieval history and Tudor history is taught in such a dry and sterile way for kids in years 7, 8, and 9. Learning about the plethora of interesting characters and how medieval English politics worked made the learning process so much better.

[@johnhammond4214]

Fantastic video - I was born on the edge of this site at Shenton and I go here regularly!

[@donaldneill4419]

"And the nimble gunner, with linstock now the devilish cannon touches / And down go all before him!" As both an historian/prof and a former artillery officer, the lore of ancient gunnery fascinates me.

[@lindaross783]

I cried when I was at Richards well there on the site. The vibes are strong.

[@pauline3379]

Great video, really interesting, thank you 😊

[@reggriffiths5769]

We have, of course, learnt several years ago that the historical site of the battle was wrong, as well as learning of the "proper" location. In my view, this production has failed in various ways to reveal anything of real value to understanding what + where anything took place. Standing by a gap in a nowhere hedgerow by the side of an unknown road to tell us that X was on our left, and Y was to our front means absolutely nothing - as with similar scenarios presented throughout. They spoke of canons, but gave no indication as to where they might have been sited or in which direction they were aimed. Indeed, we were not shown which particular field any part of the battle was fought. What we were shown was landscapes big enough to encompass a dozen or more battles. Happily, many of us would have seen similar programmes from a few years ago that gave us us specific details, including where the various artefacts were found, and even where the majority of canon projectiles were located, so we discovered precisely where the battle took place. Sadly, this programme gave us nothing much beyond the fact that Bosworth was fought in Leicestershire! Most disappointing from any PoV.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

One boar does not a battlefield make! There could be a hundred and one reasons why it was found where it was and it is a bit presumptuous to say the wearer was with Richard as he died. Especially as it is then suggested the wearer was an Observer! Who 'observes' in the middle of a melee? It is not a boxing match and he would not have been refereeing. Also if the standard bearer was That close to Henry, how did they manage to kill Richard without endangering Henry? It Is possible, obviously, but horses, lances, swords, all need room. If Richard was unhorsed killing the bearer.... but.... all very odd. It would be a bit like trying to use swords and lances in a rush hour crowd on a tube platform. There is an awful Lot of supposition here. 'We know where they, were, but actually we don't'

[@reggriffiths5769]

@@hogwashmcturnip8930 Well, what actually happened was that the Leicestershire Chronicle sent one of their leading reporters to cover the battle - ostensibly as an Official War Observer - but really just a reporter. He had to wear a yellow card on his jacket with the word "PRESS" in bold Latin, so that he wouldn't be taken as a knight. Now if you can believe what I've just written, you can believe the rubbish in the video!!!

[@andrewtrip8617]

Taking the banner or colours is the objective in most battles .unlikely to be incidental ? Any one who has ever been in a gang fight knows how mobile it is ,add armour and horses and you have a huge area with many small mobile skirmishes,you only get to charge the enemy when you corner them ie against a marsh or other obstacle.

[@KittehHawk]

Completely agree. As someone with a love of history (especially Wars of the Roses) and very local to this area, I was expecting them to pinpoint where the location is. I was disappointed. I have tried to recognise where in the lanscape surrounding Ambion Hill they were standing, but there's very little I can do with a hedge and a farm that looks like the rest of the farms in the local area. My only conclusion for the very limited information regarding the location is that it's someone's private property and the owners don't want tresspassers walking on their land- which, if I'm honest, I can understand.

[@reggriffiths5769]

@@KittehHawk Unfortunately there is a problem here. After years of making the public aware of the Albion Hill site, and money ploughed into all the PR etc., how do you now say "Sorry, we made a mistake, the real site is more than two miles from here!" I don't know if there is a permanent building or information centre re Albion, but if there is, it obviously needs changing, so it's down to the taxpayer again; and as BittyB says, perhaps the landowner doesn't want tourists coming onto his land. On the other hand, the landowner could legitimatly (or be mercenary enough) to demand regular payments to allow tourists wandering all over his property! I should imagine that the local authorities are somewhat red-faced over the issues.

[@terryyakamoto3488]

Brilliant video. Really enjoyed it. You could have mentioned that Richard had Stanley's son, Lord Strange, hostage and threatened Stanley with his execution if he didn't support Richard. Stanley supposedly replied, "I have other sons".

[@bethanyhait6880]

Henry Tudor being one of them. I’ve often wondered if that was Stanley calling Richard’s bluff (or attempting to). I would have hated to be forced to choose between wife and son like that.

[@rogueriderhood1862]

@@bethanyhait6880 Henry Tudor was actually Lord Stanley's stepson. Bearing that in mind, It was possibly foolish of Richard lll to put any trust in Stanley.

[@papapabs175]

There were four separate armies, Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland. It was his failure to support Richard when summoned that made Richard charge. It was only then that the Stanley faction decided to support Henry.

[@mbgal7758]

That may be so but Stanley was a pragmatist and he would have known that his fortunes would increase greatly if his stepson was king as opposed to Richard. Plus Lord Stanley couldn’t have been happy that Richard was holding his son captive. You also have to take Margaret Beaufort’s influence in to account. She was a formidable woman

[@jennyhunter-beckinsall6411]

Margaret Beaufort was not a nice woman. Henry wasn't so nice either.

[@papapabs175]

@@jennyhunter-beckinsall6411 Maybe not Jen, but a fantastic Mother. Through her scheming & headstrong personality she won a crown for her son, who had a vary thin claim to it.

[@davidlavigne207]

@@mbgal7758 That is an astute observation, after all, protecting your interests and your DNA is built into the male human genome. As for the Lady.....who can really say?

[@paigetomkinson1137]

@@davidlavigne207 If you want to question the dedication of females to their offspring, I suggest some nature documentaries, like lionesses protecting their young, or bears and cubs. In fact, most offspring that are nurtured in nature are raised solely by the mother, who does everything in her power to defend them and keep them safe. The males usually have no part in the raising of their offspring. Sometimes, the mothers must defend the young from the fathers themselves. Margaret Beaufort definitely fit the mold of a mother willing to do anything for her offspring, including things that the society of the time found quite objectionable in a woman/mother. Some of her actions are questionable even today, and even by women and mothers. Imo, she was a perfect example of a "fanatic."

[@DrawnInk1]

Nicely presented.

[@gavinaverill8780]

great work once again.

[@lovelyskull3483]

Thank you, excellent.

[@juliazegarra2660]

Oh, that boar's badge! What a find! I would have been speechless, too. It's just mind-blowing.

[@davelucraft5825]

'clouds of arrows falling like hail' - that battlefield strategy of unleashing a mass of unaimed arrows up into the air has now been dismissed as a myth by archery experts.

[@garylancaster8612]

Definitely. They were shot on a flat trajectory only. They would have had no power as "indirect" artillery.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

@@garylancaster8612 Also it would have to be Before engagement, otherwise you would kill as many of your own side as the enemy!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

One account I've read of archers in the Wars Of The Roses says that since both sides had them they cancelled each other out and weren't as effective as they were at Crecy or Agincourt. Essentially, the archers were a "nice to have" item but not decisive to the outcome of the battle.

[@davidlavigne207]

Even modern machine guns use a type of high angle fire at long range to produce what is referred to as a "beaten zone" to suppress and discourage moving targets. Some casualties are incurred during such fusillades. I doubt the angle is greater than 20 to 30 degrees depending on the range of the weapon. I can see massed archery fires being used in a similar way during the preliminary advances, with the angle decreasing and the lethality increasing as the opposing sides closed.

[@thomaslehmann5981]

Please. Who are these experts? What was done at the beginning of the battle of Towton?

[@burrellbikes4969]

It would have been fantastic had they used the drone footage and actually projected moving troops and such so we could get an aerial view.

[@paigetomkinson1137]

That's a great thought! I came out of the video still not quite knowing where the armies were, when looking at the fields and the local landmarks.

[@davidlavigne207]

Very informative and thought provoking. All I have ever known of Bosworth is from Shakespeare, and a few outdated histories of the knights of the middle ages. I hope that a revisionist history may be written considering these new archaeological discoveries. Perhaps the line "My kingdom for a horse" was said as poor Richard III saw Stanley's Cavalry, the scoundrels, riding toward him for the kill as he was being surrounded by Henry's forces.

[@tyrson4331]

We actually know his last words. He screamed “treason” as he kept on fighting

[@mikespearwood3914]

@@tyrson4331 How do you know that??

[@colorado9125]

I am so glad I found this channel!!!!

[@HistoryHit]

Us too!

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@pheart2381]

first class programme!

[@michaelbinney9913]

Thanks to the detectorists. Fascinating.

[@kennygpokerstrategy4917]

Great video, more like this please :)

[@jonathanferguson1211]

Great video - I do question the claim about excommunication of artillerymen. It seems to originate with Albert Manucy's 1949 book 'Artillery Through the Ages' - he cites no source, stating simply: "At one time the Pope saw fit to excommunicate all gunners."

[@unbreakable7633]

There is a feeling on a battlefield, yes. I've felt it at Gettysburg and Antietam, at Shiloh and Chickamauga. The energy of battle remains.

[@britishginge4474]

Interesting video👍🇬🇧

[@mindyourownbusinessfatty]

As someone who has walked these fields for 40 years. This new theory of where the battle took place throws out every contemporary account of the following year's of Battle. Contemporary accounts determine that the Duke of Norfolk was camped just south of Shenton on a field off Mill Lane, facing off the Earl of Oxford just North of Whitemoors woods. It is said Norfolk was killed close to a Mill, but this new theory declared the said Mill was on Orchard Farm some 2 to 3 miles away near Dadlington. This would mean the contemporary accounts of the Earl of Oxford's army (Henry's side) and the Duke of Norfolk (Richards side) somehow gave up their positions to travel through the battle site, through the Fen lane bog up the hill towards Dadlington, so they can have a Skirmish in which Norfolk dies next to a windmill. However, the contemporary accounts say he was originally camped by Mill Lane at Shenton. You tell me which Mill accounts the historical documents might be talking about. In addition the ink well speculation is quite ridiculous. If you write a field message for a dispatch rider, you give him the letter not the ink well. Regarding the silver Boar badge. There could be a whole host of reasons the badge was dropped, a field reconnaissance patrol down to the bog, stolen as a trophy elsewhere and dropped, the idea that the finding of this badge proves the battlefield location, is amateur archeology to say the least and tells us nothing. But the biggest question is: Are we honestly expected to believe that Henry set up his army in a bog, all the heavy horses, all the armour, all the artillery was dragged into a bog to fight a battle, and then Richard charged into the bog to try and kill Henry. Anyone and I mean anyone who knows this area will see the obvious battle site as close to Whitemoors wood a few hundred yards north of Fen Lane bog and a few hundred yards south of Shenton. All the army's were in a circle around this area and all the contemporary accounts have Richard charging down Ambion hill and the only possible place to arrive is Whitemoors. These archeologists also don't tell you that most of the artefacts, ie belt buckles, badges, brooches, etc were not found in the bog. I am continually convinced that these archeologists have made the location fit their theory and in doing so have dismissed every contemporary account.

[@EloyGijon67]

It's always good news to place correctly a battlefield. Hastings must be the following and claim Crowhurst 👍

[@stephenallison1522]

Brilliant. Subbed.

Very interesting Indeed. I think the first Time Team program I ever watched was on the Battle of Bosworth :)

[@Andy_Babb]

I wish all of Matt’s presentations were 45+ minutes

[@sarkybugger5009]

This really was a fascinating watch. Many thanks to all involved, and those who strive to protect our heritage. Without them, it will all just be words on the pages of history books, with no way to verify their veracity. New techniques, technologies, and approaches, are yielding new discoveries in many fields: Physical, historical, and scientific. A total ban on greenfield development would be a good start.

[@skippygatten8572]

I was there in 1985 for the 500th anniversary. Charles and Diana came in a helicopter. I was probably the only American there that day

[@Psychol-Snooper]

People can "feel" where deaths occurred 500 years before? Weird statement.

[@chrisstanley2538]

How I helped find Richard's body from🇺🇲 500yrs later. Weird claim yes Stanley. GEEZE. THE things I've witnessed. Let's stop ✋ Putin now !!!

[@thelittlerenegade2631]

Love this! Fantastic program! Have a question though…isn’t that portrait the Hans Holbein of the infamous Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk…the grandson of John Howard who fought at Bosworth?

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Good stuff.

[@davebento1548]

Reading about Henry's careful calculating character throughout his life, and given Henry had the local detailed knowledge on his side, I think it is highly likely that Henry met with Stanley the night prior to the battle and asked - If a moment arose in the battle when you could intervene in the battle and kill Richard would you swear to do it ? Stanley agreed - but it would have to be obvious so to not risk offending Richard. Henry then placed himself as bait with the marsh between him and Richard and unbeknown to Richard. Richard charged into the marsh with only his retinue and that was Stanleys obvious moment.

[@alancoe1002]

Who knows? What if he or his standard bearer had waved a boar-spear at Richard? Too tempting.

[@MissBlueEyeliner]

Imagine how different the whole world would be if this battle ended differently 😦

[@diannehardwick950]

Interesting. Hopefully time will reveal much more.

[@mikesey1]

What became of the "Time Team" investigation of the battle site? I believe that started with other archaeologists taking soil samples. Apparently, battlefields have raised nitrogen levels from spilt blood, though what can remain after 500 years beats me!

[@plaarnold]

Marvellous

[@nobbytang]

Magnificent….

[@Thebonesoftrees]

This is brilliant content. Makes me proud to be English.

[@Materialworld4]

I really appreciate your highly insightful, and professional videos. This one especially is important to me because I can trace my family back to a minimum of 1535, in Whalley, England. Thank you to all involved.

[@English_Dawn]

Please note sadly Henry VI was captured at Brungerley Bridge, near Whalley.

[@Calum_S]

Oi! That's my horse!

[@vespelian5769]

The remark about sixth sense of battlefields at 23.44 is apt for Hastings too. There is no sense of I Battle, the oficial site, nor any archeological finds, but there is and are at Crowhurst.

[@paulcain4001]

I think that the image of Lord Stanley has been misidentified - surely that is William Cecil

[@vikkirobinson4131]

Very interesting, but better use of maps and graphics would make the points more clearly.

[@michaelbedford8017]

The Stanleys: Imfamous historical 'goal-hangers'.

[@chrisstanley2538]

My great aunt Bessie Bedford Stanley has an obvious relationship to you We have been in🇺🇲 since 1680s, however, Thomas 1st Earl of Derby is 20 gen. Grandfather 👴 is Bedford close to Stanley Britain 🇬🇧 hey let's stand united and defeat Putin 😀

[@samparkerSAM]

If you look at William Hogarths depiction of William Garrick you can see three pike men holding spears or Halberds, my father kept the engraving on the wall of the den, also two halberds above the fireplace. My father was fascinated with this episode in history!

[@xCLUNKx]

This is why I love metal detecting in Britain 🇬🇧

[@jamesbowler3654]

Very interesting, but still so many maybes !

[@littledikkins2253]

The thumb nail showed the Sanglier Blanc, which was Richard III's badge.

[@martincarroll8637]

Given it’s significance, I’m amazed with the scarcity of artefacts found that would definitively pinpoint this epic episode in our illustrious history at its exact epicentre. Pickings from the aftermath when everything had a value, particularly the teeth, to say nothing of the salvaged armours bounty, practically ensured a methodical fingertip search left nothing behind. The topography will have certainly played a crucial role and such an opportunist on hedging their bet’s would sneakily survive.

[@kevincasey5035]

The Forestry Commission is supposedly investigating an alternative site for the Battle of Hastings. What should they be looking for considering it was about 400 years earlier?

[@laurencemoore8519]

Its simples really. They should be looking in and around the town of BATTLE just by the so called site of the battle of Hastings. Strange co-insidence that its the only town named as such, and was formed around 1066. its a no brainer, especially considering there has never been any finds on the so called battle sight to support the argument the battle was there.

[@kevincasey5035]

@@laurencemoore8519 Only problem is that historians have only one written source for the location of the death of Harold, the Abbott of Battle Abbey, Walter de Luci who in 1152 wrote in a forged document that Harold died under the High Altar Walter was subsequently excommunicated for his trouble. The BT, if it is to be believed, puts the location some 1.5 miles away. No other information is available. Read the Song of the Norman Conquest by Guy d'Amien ( Kathleen Tyson makes a good translation) and try to get Harold to fight at the Abbey.

[@nicolawebb6025]

@@laurencemoore8519 Battle really isn't that close to Hastings, so it is really weird. But there has been a lot of discussion about where around Battle the battle took place

[@kingrubbatiti1285]

@@nicolawebb6025 Hastings in 1066 was a peninsular,supposedly named after the Hestinga tribe, and alot of what is now land were estuaries,harbours etc. The fact the battle was named after the area it was fought in should start to make sense. Also,where Hastings is now,was not where it was in 1066.

[@nicolawebb6025]

@@kingrubbatiti1285 where was it in 1066? I was under the impression that it was, as now, a coastal town. They moved their camp there after landing up the coast

[@franciscojose6496]

Interesting channel

[@chrisstanley2538]

Wow, Thomas Stanley. 1st Earl of Derby. My ,Grandfather proud I am

[@catherinewilkins2760]

Sorry, the locals knew where the battle was but were ignored by the "experts " . So glad someone eventually listened. Used to visit the site as a child, not the one made up for tourists.

[@skepticalbadger]

They cover this in the video. They didn't ignore it, it's that you can't rely on local tradition - it's frequently wrong, especially as historical evidence conflicted with it. You need archaeological evidence.

[@SRone45]

A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!

[@kevin5073]

Would love to see this kind of analysis applied to the Battle of Hastings.

[@joycecharbonneau152]

The archeology is being done, though I don't know of a documentary about the findings having been done which is as comprehensive as this. There is a theory currently gaining traction that the location of the Battle of Hastings was also misplaced, and that the bulk of it took place under what is now a roundabout.

[@cynric5437]

@@joycecharbonneau152 You’re referencing Time Team’s effort back in 2013. There are 8 locations in play; Battle Abbey or A2100/A271 roundabout, mini roundabout, Caldbec Hill, Crowhurst, Ridge 3 miles east, Beech Farm, Beechdown Wood or nearer to Netherfield or my favourite -Ashes Wood

[@joaomanoel3197]

Muito bom

[@rraguso]

Shocked at how small the silver boar badge is . . . Amazing find!

[@mikenunz]

I always kind of thought that after battles like that people picked the bodies and the area of anything of worth. I'm actually surprised that they found stuff of value like the boar badge. Not just the soldiers that would do it, but there were also camp followers and a burial people that would do that as well. I hope they find a lot more!

[@davidpowell6098]

Anything that was dropped, or smashed off the combatants would have been trampled by the sheer number of men involved, there would, I think, be more to find at a slightly different depths.

[@patraic5241]

Any small bits that fell off into grass or got trampled into the dirt could easily have been over looked. Shot would tend to bury itself into the soil. Obvious stuff and large items would certainly have been looted from the field.

[@paigetomkinson1137]

@@davidpowell6098 Items like that could also have bounced or rolled away from the person to whom they belonged, or even landed underneath something that could have hidden them from view. Women usually have great stories that illustrate this, when they've dropped an earring and end up on the floor searching! Same goes for contact lens wearers, although the transparency wasn't much of an issue at Bosworth, from what I know.

[@hetrodoxly1203]

Just drop something that small in a field and try and find it again.

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*Cool, he brought his tricorder with him.*

[@msvaleriah]

This has been fascinating and well presented, but forgive me, I believe your portrait of the Duke of Norfolk is that of John Howard's grandson, Thomas, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.

[@AbiShafi]

You are right very definitely Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk, uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (Queens of England) 1473 to 1554 grandson of John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England 1421 to 1485. If you notice Thomas Howard is holding the staff signifying his role of Earl Marshal.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

I thought that too!

[@HesperianHorsePower]

You are correct and it stood out to me instantly when I saw the painting of the 3rd Duke being represented as John Howard. Seems a GLARING oversight for a British run history channel of this size to make such an obvious mistake. Oh well! Despite this, I agree, it was a good presentation of Bosworth and that time in history concerning the wars of the roses. I’m glad such videos are being made!

[@jmitch5161]

Fabulous, thankyou! Shame the Battle of Hastings sight isn't being treated same way with regards to finding the true sight

[@CelticCrone1950]

Site not sight

[@mondayschild3493]

The low countries were heavily involed in these wars of roses battles with mercenaries lots of Burgdinian Netherlands coins have been found, the fishpool hoard contained a large portion of Burgundy gold coins. The badge probably had a hook on the back set at an angle to stop it pulling out.

[@markrollins3101]

Really enjoyed this video the ink well could of been anybodys or looted then dropped same as the badge but still a good story.

[@flintandball6093]

As a modern blackpowder muzzleloader shooter, all I can say is that the smell becomes quite pleasant when you're used to it.

[@phil6506]

I was surprised to learn there were less trees around when the battle took place.

[@iblack585]

Struck me that there wouldn’t have been the hedgerows, but fewer trees seems less likely. Not that I have any expertise in the medieval landscape.

[@soccerchamp0511]

As a public historian who works at a museum, let me tell you, it is a common misconception among the public that the landscape was necessarily more wooded in the past. You have to remember that for cultures centered on agriculture whose primary source of fuel is wood, they find ways to utilize as much of the landscape for farming as possible and substantial trees with a lot of fuel potential can't be regrown overnight. That's not to say that there weren't wooded areas in the middle ages, but it's not surprising that the fields would have had less trees around than today. Several other excellent examples of this are Scotland and the east coast of the United States. For Scotland there are primary sources from the 18th century that talk about how the landscape was almost completely deforested by that point, but we know from archaeology and earlier historical sources that it was not always that way. Along the eastern coast of the United States, what started out as a veritable "jungle" with forests so thick and abundant that the early colonists couldn't imagine them being cleared, only 300 years after the settlement at Jamestown you have a landscape with less than half the trees it started with. And at the time of the American Civil War (only 150ish years ago) places that are now covered with woodland were almost all covered with fields, so that the landscape is much different now than it was then. There have even been debates over whether to keep all the trees on Civil War battlefields or take the "new" trees out to make it look like it did during the war.

[@phil6506]

@@soccerchamp0511 Well the politics of fear is raging at the moment, lying to us that we are all bad people and that we are destroying the natural world. C02 gas is great for the environment and forests are thriving. Don't get me wrong we have to stop shitting in our own nest, but we are cleaning up our act and science will find a way to fuel our industries in a clean sustainable manner. Fear is destroying our youths and turning them into unreasonable woke fools, but they won't be fooled forever.

[@soccerchamp0511]

I have seen multiple comments wondering about why there would have been less trees back then. As a public historian who works at a museum, let me tell you, it is a common misconception among the public that the landscape was necessarily more wooded in the past. You have to remember that for cultures centered on agriculture whose primary source of fuel is wood, they find ways to utilize as much of the landscape for farming as possible and substantial trees with a lot of fuel potential can't be regrown overnight. That's not to say that there weren't wooded areas in the middle ages, but it's not surprising that the fields would have had less trees around than today. Several other excellent examples of this are Scotland and the east coast of the United States. For Scotland there are primary sources from the 18th century that talk about how the landscape was almost completely deforested by that point, but we know from archaeology and earlier historical sources that it was not always that way. Along the eastern coast of the United States, what started out as a veritable "jungle" with forests so thick and abundant that the early colonists couldn't imagine them being cleared, only 300 years after the settlement at Jamestown you have a landscape with less than half the trees it started with. And at the time of the American Civil War (only 150ish years ago) places that are now covered with woodland were almost all covered with fields, so that the landscape is much different now than it was then. There have even been debates over whether to keep all the trees on Civil War battlefields or take the "new" trees out to make it look like it did during the war.

[@jep1103]

So the whole original setup has been based on.....nothing....priceless

[@secretsquirrel726]

The silver boar badge with gilding on the edges was worn by the senior knights of Richard 3rd. They also wore the white rose as a symbol of York. Someone in the family had one of these in the 1970's from Grafton, and I asked why the boar has such a large and prominent winky. She replied, "They were very vulgar back then."

[@italianbirdvideos6190]

I'm always careful to distinguish between fact: An inkwell found. And speculative assertion such as: "The inkwell belonged to Richard's scribe who was writing an important message for Richard but then dropped the inkwell as he fled the area from cannon fire". This can be problematic for history and science. Color is one thing, but we must be watchful how we disseminate our conjecture.

[@mavisspearhead1742]

History was written by the victor.. and the victors scribes lied.. the Plantagonets still live, in Australia. And archaeology is 99% theory. ;-)

[@thomasbell7033]

@@mavisspearhead1742 I realize this is only YT comments, but you throw out all manner of claims without the tiniest scrap of evidence. Archaeology is not 99 percent speculation.

[@mavisspearhead1742]

@@thomasbell7033 if you did more research, you will learn some facts.. lol. even modern historians see the lies in history.. and no, i did not throw out all manner of claims, as you claim. without a scrap of evidence.. The monarchy of today are imposters, and have no real claim today.Just because some folk say they are monarchs, dont make it so.. tony robinson nailed it, hes also done the research..

[@tahiranaveen]

I think he said Henry's scribe. Also what else would have happened? This does seem to be a likely explaination.

[@calebgaddi1428]

You were not careful enough when you watched the video. He said the inkwell most likely from Henry’s camp.

[@brianmccarthy7768]

So Stanley was basically the John Terry of the late medieval period

[@benhancock8143]

Any mass graves from the battlefield ever found?

[@cathybohls1842]

The boar was the Earl of Oxford's symbol. Might the boar badge find indicate where his forces were fighting? You state in the video that Earl of Oxford was separate from other forces. You do not indicate in the video that the boar is connected to the Earl of Oxford. Please explain.

[@waynelucier1678]

Richard started out as a great Knight and faithful servant to his king it was only later when the hunger to be king turned him into a man seeking power at any cost

[@cleverusername9369]

The parallels between the history being presented here and Game of Thrones really gives you a sense of how much George R.R. Martin was influenced by the Wars of the Roses.

[@gillesguillaumin6603]

The rooster is officialy the symbol of France, in fact the real one is the celtic boar. Historians gave us the rooster. It's because in latin, gallica, used by Julius Cesar, for Gallican Wars, means rooster.

[@ItsSVO]

Absolutely. Tywin Lannister is basically stanley, joining the battle once the tide of battle turned.

[@lindaross783]

No.mention of the 4th Earl of Northumberland. On Richards flank but held back. He was a Plantagenet pressed to fealty to the Yorkists. But apparently didn't back Richard quick enough. Amazed they didn't mention Richards other flank.

[@johnjones9104]

I was lucky to discover that my 17th gt grand uncle was Rhys ap Thomas 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😀😀😀😀😀

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

That first object was definitely an inkwell. In the U.S., similar inkwells have been found, mostly carved from soapstone. Some were made of pewter, lead or ceramic material. By the late 18th century and through the 19th century, they were blown from glass. Even the beveled sides are the same. Many inkwells maintained that shape in some form well into the 20th century. I didn't know the form was that early. This is an excellent video!

[@christineworrall7186]

Love listening to History Hit and learning so much about UK and its history. Although Australian my ancestors all came from Britain and I feel it is my history also. The thing I find troubling now is the influx of so many migrants and how this will influence the United Kingdom moving forward. I'd hate to see another Civil War in what is now a relatively peaceful country