Battle of Bosworth Commemoration

Where: Sutton Cheney Church, Leicestershire & Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Visitor Centre (CV13 0AD)
When: Sunday near 22nd August
Time: 12 noon at St James' Church, from 10 am at Visitor Centre

 

The Battle of Bosworth took place on August 22nd 1485. King Richard III was the last English king to fight in battle and was slain here with victory won by Henry VII, the first Tudor king. The Richard III Society hold an annual service at St James’ Church, Sutton Cheney  on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary, to commemorate the battle and all who died in it. The Richard III Society promotes research in to the life and times of Richard III and seeks to secure a re-assesment of his role in history (he got a bad press – history is written by the winners!). Wreaths are laid and King Richard’s Prayer is said. The nearby Battlefield Centre has exhibitions  and re-enactments as well as organised Battlefield Walks over the whole weekend. The living history encampment is very large and there are interesting items on sale at numerous stalls on site; food and drink are readily available and everything has a medieval theme. The highlights of the event are the jousting tournament and the battle re-enactment which take place during the afternoon – there’s plenty to keep all ages busy all day.

Helpful Hints

In 2023 the Church Service took place on Sunday 20th August and the Medieval Medley at the Visitor Centre on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August, with Wreath Laying ceremony on 22nd. The full Medieval Festival should return in 2024 with the battle re-enactment and jousting-in 2023 there were living history camps, displays and walks but no battle re-enactment. Full details for 2024 are yet to be announced.

The Visitor Centre has ample parking  and has a fascinating display on the battle and its place in history as well as a reconstructed medieval village.

I’m a member of Richard III Society myself so may be considered slightly biased – but however loudly you cheer for Richard he still doesn’t win!

A brief flower and wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Visitor Centre on the actual anniversary of the battle, 22nd August, at 11 am at the Sundial.

Click here to find out more : http://www.richardiii.net/

and for the event website click here : http://www.bosworthbattlefield.com/

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