Page 98 - History of War - Issue 29-16

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of of
Right: This silver badge pinpointed a more exact
location for the Battle of Bosworth and personally ACTUAL SIZE: 29MM
linked it to Richard’s household retinue

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BO BO BO
BOAR BADGE
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BOSWORTH
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This tiny badge was found near the spot where
the last Plantagenet fought his last stand
against the encroaching army of the Tudors
n 22 August 1485, the course disputed. This was partially corrected in 2009
of English history was changed when a collection of archaeological nds were
when Richard III, the last found in elds straddling Fen Lane, nearly two
Plantagenet king of England, was miles southwest of what had been traditionally
O killed ghting at the Battle of regarded as the centre of the battle. The
Bosworth in Leicestershire. nds included coins, sword hilts, 28 lumps of
The victor, Henry Tudor, claimed the roundshot and, remarkably, this small badge
throne as Henry VII, and Richard’s body was depicting a boar.
unceremoniously buried in Greyfriars Friary, The white boar was the personal device
Leicester. When his skeleton was exhumed of Richard III and badges were given to his
in 2012, it was noticed that he had died supporters as a token of loyalty. This particular
violently, with severe head wounds. badge is made of silver gilt and they were
The rediscovery of Richard’s body exclusively made for the knights and nobles of
is one the most remarkable nds his household retinue.
of recent times but the exact Measuring only 29 millimetres (1.14 inches),
location the battle eld is it was possibly lost by one of Richard’s close
supporters during the battle, possibly in
Left: Despite being hand-to-hand combat. The badge provided
posthumously demonised by archaeologists with good evidence for the
the Tudor dynasty and William presence of the king’s household close to the
Shakespeare, Richard III died marshy area where Richard is supposed to have
bravely at Bosworth, “ ghting Image: Alamy
manfully in the thickest fallen, and pinned down a more conclusive site
press of his enemies” for the actual battle eld.

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