Saka Light Cavalry

Saka Light Cavalry

Friday 22 August 2014

The Battle of Bosworth 22nd August 1485

We decided to nip over to Bosworth last Sunday but before setting off I thought I would check the website to make sure all was OK. Turned out it was the planned re-enactment of the Battle as it's anniversary was the following Friday (today). A laying of roses on the Sundial will mark the event today.

 Their was quite a few re-enactors at the battle and a large living history camp you can just part of in the background. I do have a problem with the bright shiny armour almost all of them wear. Why people who are supposed to want to portray their period as accuracy as possible continue to turn a blind eye to such foolish peacock attitudes as wanting to be nice and shiny rather than dull and accurate.Worse still was that all but one of the women none combatants were wearing metal headgear, these often was the most polished!! In other cases women in skirts were also fighting in large enough numbers as to make you ask why? It just made it look like women were common in pitched battles. As the general public become more knowledgeable the more this society will look a joke which is a shame as overall they do a good job but obviously those in control lack the ability or interest in closing down these errors.

Lots more was going on other than the battle and  whilst entry came in at £50 for the four of us it was worth it. Richard III was holding back in the battle but eventually was to charge into the battle, I think we all know what's coming.

We missed taking shots of the arrows coming towards us earlier but you can see some on the way in this shot. The weather held off up to the end of the battle then it came down in sheets!

After Richard III had been killed all his armour etc was stripped from his body. Here he is being returned draped over the saddle.

The two Kings, Henry holding the crown yet to have it lifted to his head and Richard III stripped even of dignity. The battle and commentary was very good and lasted about fifty minutes which was about right. I would say a couple of hundred were on the field with about 10-15 on horseback in full armour.

Anyway this is an annual event so if you are interested in a full days entertainment it's worth putting in your diary for next year. I am already planning a boys day out for my son, Lee and me when we can get it together.

10 comments:

  1. Cracking event and photographs, but those clouds look ominous! Not sure I would want my nice shiny armour getting wet!

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    1. Those clouds waiting till the battle finished then came a rolling down LOL

      ian

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  2. What an awesome sight! Great photos Ian!

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  3. Great photos Ian..might have to have a look there next year.

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    1. Maybe a Blog-Con history field trip?

      If so count me in

      Ian

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  4. Looks like a good day out. :-)

    Actually the better steel armours should gleam and in some cases were gilt and/or silver plated in whole or part, unless your attendants were lazy sods that is. 'Peacock' is a fair description of most knights and nobles certainly.

    The cheaper iron or poor quality steel 'munition' types would of course look totally different and at best would be a dull blue-grey (except on raised areas and edges), or even 'russeted'. The incidence of rust-spots would be down to the efforts of the owner.

    More obviously though is that the likelihood of Irish troops being at Bosworth is extremely low.

    As for the ladies, have you never heard of the 'Monstrous Regiment of Women' c.1558?
    ;-)

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    1. I was really referring to the none knights, these though were wearing the shinyist in many cases.

      I remember trying to Russet my ECW back and breast, seems horses have stronger ahhh...... liquid assets ;-)

      Ian

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    2. I know of someone who's wife took a brillo pad to his russeted helmet, thinking sshe was doing him a favour....

      Oddly I came across a tract today where some Medieval commentator was laying it on about knights parading around in their 'bryght' armour, he was less generous in his words than you.

      I have to admit I would have been tempted to ask some of the blokes there how long they had rolled their kit in barrels of vinegar and sand to get them that bright, while looking suitably impressed at the results. ;-)

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  5. Looks like it was a grand sight.
    Great photos.
    Cheers

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    1. Cath took all the photo's and actually it was much bigger than it looks in the photo's, will have to try again next year

      Ian

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