Downfall of Richard III

• Tudor fled to France following an English and Britanny truce. Brittany invaded the French border but after they withdrew, French support diminished.
• New of Richard's marriage to Elizabeth of York, and Tudor raised finances and loans to assemble a small army. He also used mercenaries.
• Richard heard of a planned invasion, so he went north. Chancellor issued a proclamation condemning all traitors and calling all supporters to arms.
• Richard forced loans from churchmen, he pawned plates and jewels. Visount Lovell went to Southampton to supervise naval preparations. Beacons placed around England and Wales to signal news of an invasion.
• He had support of exiles like Edward Woodville and Earl of Oxford. Had support of 500 English contingents and 2000 French mercenaries.
• Henry landed in Wales. Wales was dominate by the Herbert family and hoped for their support. He had no support but no resistance. Letters written to kinsmen for support, some responded positively.
• Uncertain support were Rhys Ap Thomas and William Herbert. Looked like they were containing support but really joined their side. Rhys was promised the lieutenancy of Wales. They demanded surrender of Shrewsbury.
• News reached Richard III, called for support from lords, sheriffs and gentlemen. The Duke of Norfolk called for support from his men.
• Rhys Ap Thomas sent letters to Richard downplaying size of the rebel army. Lord Stanley and Earl of Northumberland did not show who they supported.
• Henry moved through England to gain support. He reached Newport and joined support from Gilbert Talbot with a force of 500.
• Thomas Stanley was called to arms for Lancastrians at the Battle of Blore Heath but they never engaged with battle. He supported Earl of Warwick during the readeption, but was forgiven by Edward. He served Gloucester in campaigns against Scottish. He supported Richard during Buckingham's rebellion and he was named Lord High Constable of England.
• Brother William Stanley was firmly on the Yorkist side, he fought in Battle of Blore Heath and captured Margaret at Tewkesbury. in 1485, he switched to the Tudor side.
• Richard had stayed in Nottingham for too long. He moved to Leicester and was joined by the Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Northumberland. a chronicler said it was the largest force ever on English soil.
• William Stanley left the rebel army to join Lord Stanley's army. Henry Tudor seperated from his army for one night, when he returned it was on the urge of disbanding but he persuaded them to stay.
• Henry Tudor met with Lord Stanley to secure their alliance. Many other men from the royal army were defecting e.g. Sir John Savage.
• The Battle of Bosworth:

  • Polydor Vergil said that Richard' s army was twice the size of rebel army
  • Lord Stanley did send support for the rebels at first
  • Earl of Oxford sent archers to the frontline
  • Tudor's Vanguard closed in on Duke of Norfolk's