Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth: 10 (Retinue to Regiment) Paperback – 15 Aug. 2019

Mike Ingram really knows what he is writing about. This is a book with very dense text - you really need to concentrate - but if you do, you will be rewarded with a very clear picture if the era.

Even Richard III buffs will likely learn something from Mike Ingram's latest book. Thick with detail, such as what was happening on international fronts as well as the most current understanding of the battle's location, this book is nonetheless easy to follow and well-organized. The author admits when something is not known, yet isn't afraid to pose open-ended questions and speculate a bit, as well. Thoroughly recommend.

Helion and Company decided to open their new series – From Retinue to Regiment 1453-1618- with book focusing on one of the most crucial battles in English history. Medieval historian Mike Ingram in his ‘Richard III and the battle of Bosworth’ presents much more than the description of the battle though. Readers will find here not only summary of English history of 15th century but also interlinked web of political connections between England, France, Burgundy, Brittany and Scotland, with its ever-changing alliances and shift of power. We will accompany Richard Plantagenet in his road to throne, full of warring nobles, would-be ‘king makers’ and both internal and external political struggles. Same detailed attention is drawn to Henry Tudor, with story of his life from early childhood and road that led him into exile on the Continent and then back to England, leading army against Richard III.While politics play important part of the book, there’s of course heavy presence of military aspect. In second chapter Mike Ingram provides in-depth research into 15th century warfare in England. We can find here information about organisation and recruitment of the troops, their weapons and equipment , tactics and army logistics. All that is presented in connection with other European armed forces of the period, to shows similarities and differences between them.We can see Henry’s preparation to invasion of England, gathering allies and troops and then initial actions of the war. Readers can find detailed step-by-step description of troop movements and operations of both opponents. Finally we reach battle of Bosworth Field, where author is using many sources to attempt reconstruction of fighting forces, their deployments and actions during the battle. Of course quite a lot of space is given to moment of Richard III’s death, with detailed study of his wounds. Final chapter describes further fate of new king Henry Tudor and main players from both sides. In appendixes we can find information about location of both place of the battlefield, place of burial (and then identification) of Richard III and finally Order of Battle.As with other Helion and Company’s books, we can find plenty of illustrations here. Black and white ones are combination of modern photos of the places described in the book and reconstruction of weapons, clothes and equipment, with many drawing by Matt Ryan. Bruno Mugnai provided two colour plates (with Burgundian handgunner and French spearman), while Dr Lesley Price drawn 5 plates with flags of the main commanders. Dr Price is also author of the maps of phases of the battle of Bosworth.It’s definitely ‘must have’ book for anyone interested in 15th century English history. Especially in connection to Wars of the Roses. It’s very well researched study, showing both changes in European warfare of the era and link between English and Continental politics. Great opening to the new historical series from Helion and Company, worth to keep an eye for further books in ‘From Retinue to Regiment’ .

The momentous Battle of Bosworth fought on 22 August 1485 was a significant turning point in English history. In the first of a new series by Helion Publishing, From Retinue to Regiment, historian Mike Ingram takes on the task of narrating a new version of the battle based on historical sources and recent archaeology.Ingram lays out his groundwork with a detailed survey of his sources, the family trees of the Houses of York and Lancaster, and an annotated timeline of the Wars of the Roses. He then provides a detailed background to the Wars as a series of connected events rather than a continuous conflict. Ingram goes back into the 14th Century to untangle the roots of this complex dynastic struggle that also involved France and Burgundy. Events accelerated with the accession of the utterly inept Henry VI. Then with the English defeat at Castillon in 1453 the storm broke and open warfare erupted between competing nobles while Henry VI lay catatonic. Many battles were fought, and the Throne changed hands several times, but by 1485 the crisis was coming to a head with Richard III as King and Henry Tudor landing in Wales with a small force.Here Ingram breaks off with an illuminating chapter on 15th Century warfare, and biographies of Richard and Henry, an overview of the connections between Henry, France, and Burgundy, and an account of the events leading up to the Battle of Bosworth. Henry landed on 1 August 1485 near Milford Haven and marched into England, gathering troops as he went. Richard III mustered his army and advanced to meet him. That encounter took place at Bosworth where Richard died in battle and Henry emerged triumphant. By then events were already disappearing into misty legend and historians ever since have attempted to reconstruct the battle.The general story of Bosworth is well known – a kingdom for my horse, and all that – but we are short on details. Or we were until battlefield archaeology conducted in the 2000s changed the game completely. Ingram has jumped on the new evidence to describe a very different Bosworth but one that makes sense of the physical and source evidence. His interpretation is convincing and likely to stand the test of time. Ingram concludes with three appendices on finding the battlefield, Richard III’s grave, and the likely order of battle.Ingram’s book is well written and nicely illustrated throughout, with some plates in colour. His expertise in the area of battlefield reconstruction shows through clearly, and his analysis of the evidence is skilful. This is not only an enjoyable book therefore, it is authoritative. Highly recommended.