Market Bosworth - Brodick Photo World- powered by SmugMug

The Battle of Bosworth took place on 22nd August 1485 close to Market Bosworth. The battlefield has many enjoyable walks and we are often to be found there.
This collection of photographs shows the Battle of Bosworth Field and also the nearby town of Market Bosworth and Bosworth Country Park and Arboretum

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Brodick > One of the walks commences at Shenton Station which is situated about 500m from the Battlefield visitor centre. The Battlefield Line is the last remain part of the former Ashby & Nuneaton Joint Railway which was opened in 1873. It runs from Shackerstone via Market Bosworth to Shenton in Leicestershire and is operated by the Shackerstone Railway Society. There are still plenty of opportunities to take trips on the trains, and the children all love Thomas the Tank Engines visits.

Brodick > This flag flies close to Shenton station, and I have to admit to forgetting to note exactly whose flag it represents. On our next visit, this will be remedied.
The battle that eventually took place was between Henry Tudor who had landed in Wales from exile in France, and King Richard III. Henry had gathered 5,000 men, but was greatly outnumbered by Richard's 12,000.

Brodick > The present Ambion Wood is believed to have been mostly marshland in 1485 and would have protected Richard's right flank which stretched from the higher Ambion Hill. Today they are privately owned, but you can still walk through and around them on defined footpaths.

Brodick > The Boar Standard flies at the top of Ambion Hill which marks the position believed to have been occupied by Richards men, who although having far greater numerical supremacy, included 4000 of Lord Thomas Sanley's supporters who changed sides and went over to Henry.

Brodick > This path skirts along Ambion Hill.
The battle was fought on and around here and lasted only about two hours. Richard had the better position, but did not take advantage by attacking Oxford while he was still deploying his troops. This allowed Oxford to launch the first attack and the Duke of Norfolk, who was commanding Richard's forward battle division, was soon killed. For the first hour, the fighting was evenly matched, but Richard lost the battle through the treachery of the the Stanleys, who deserted his cause. Even more damaging was of the Earl of Northumberland's failure to bring Richard's reserves into action when he saw the Stanleys go over to the enemy.

Brodick > Richard made a last attempt to win victory by directly attacking Henry with his personal guard, and almost succeeded, having cut down Henry's standard bearer. Richard's gamble failed, and he was struck down. The battle ended because his followers had no other definite leader. Richard was the last king of England to die on the battlefield. His death effectively ended the Wars of the Roses, and Henry VII started a new dynasty, the Tudors.

Brodick > Above the terrible din of battle, the Castilian knight Juan de Salazar could be heard shouting to the King, 'Sire, take steps to put your person in safety.' But Richard knew for certain that the day would either deliver him a pacified realm thenceforward or else take it away forever. Fighting like a madman, he roared defiance 'God forbid I yield one step. This day I will die as King or win.' He was the last king to be killed in battle.

Brodick > This view from Ambion Hill looks towards the small town of Market Bosworth

Brodick > Close to the market town of Market Bosworth is Bosworth Arboretum also well worth a walk around. Market Bosworth

This tree in the arboretum displays a fairly advanced specimen of "Witches Broom". These brooms arise from infested buds, which then give rise to shoots with more infested buds. Over time, branches appear to show many tight clusters of twigs along the axis. The brooms are easy to spot when there are no leaves on the tree.

Brodick > Market Bosworth > Bosworth Arboretum 1

Brodick > Market Bosworth > Bosworth Arboretum 3

Brodick > Market Bosworth > Bosworth Arboretum 4

Brodick > Market Bosworth > Bosworth Arboretum 5

Brodick > Market Bosworth > Bosworth Arboretum 6

Brodick > One of the hazards is Giant Hogweed which is pretty prolific in the area, and is extremely nasty if you happen to touch it. Looks quite impressive though.

One of the walks commences at Shenton Station which is situated about 500m from the Battlefield visitor centre. The Battlefield Line is the last remain part of the former Ashby & Nuneaton Joint Railway which was opened in 1873. It runs from Shackerstone via Market Bosworth to Shenton in Leicestershire and is operated by the Shackerstone Railway Society. There are still plenty of opportunities to take trips on the trains, and the children all love Thomas the Tank Engines visits.