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.
