The Battle of Bosworth Field

The battle opened with a brief round of
cannon and bow fire. The two vanguards
clashed, but Henry's main and rear guards
were hindered by marshes. Richard's
greater numbers were beginning to tell, but
what happened Historical next remains something Notes of
a mystery. Maybe Henry set off with a
small force of retainers to plead with
William
There
Stanley
were
to enter
12 years
the battle
of peace
on his
from the
side and
Bombardment
on seeing this,
of London
perhaps
until
Richard
Edward IV
charged
died,
downhill
but still
to
the
intercept
Yorkists
Henry
were
and
not secure.
finish the
There
house
was
of Lancaster
one Lancastrian
once and for
remaining,
all. Alternatively,
Henry Tudor
seeing
of Richmond,
Henry safe
with
at the
a tenuous
rear of
claim
his
to the
army,
throne.
Northumberland
Henry had fled to
inexplicably
France
immobile,
with his
and
uncle
fearing
Jasper
the
after the
Stanleys
Lancastrian
had already
defeat
sided
at Tewksbury.
with the
Lancastrians, perhaps Richard charged
across the
There
marsh
was
for
also
the
an
pennon
enemy
of
within.
the
On
traitorous
Edward's
Thomas.
death,
Either
Richard
way, there
of Gloucester,
was a
who
charge which
had been
ended
named
in glorious
by Edward
failure
as protector
and
of
the king
his
was
son
killed.
Edward
Stanley
V, decided
took the
that
crown
he wanted
from Richard's
to be king
helmet
himself.
and
He
placed
first broke
it upon
the power
the head
of
of
Edward
Henry Tudor,
IV's
proclaiming
wife's family,
him
the
King Henry
Woodvilles,
VII.
and then kidnapped and killed
both the young king Edward and the king's
Leadership
brother.
and
He
Artillery
had himself
(if artillery
crowned
is
King
present)
Richard
rules can
III
be
in July
found
1483.
on the last
page of the Campaign Rules in the files
section
Meanwhile, Henry Tudor had gathered
at
an
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/battlelore
English army in exile on the continent, and
calltoarms/
convinced the French king, Louis XI, to
sponsor an invasion. He landed in Wales
on August 7th 1485 and with 5000 men
brought Richard, with 10,000 men, to battle
at Bosworth on the 22nd. All the way on
the march to the battle Richard had to
question the loyalty of some key nobles.
Northumberland appeared distinctly
reluctant, and neither side knew for sure
what was in the minds of the Stanley
brothers, Thomas Lord Stanley (Henry's
stepfather) and William. To be as sure as
possible, Richard had taken into his
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custody Thomas' son.
Produced with permission, for non-commercial use only.
Conditions of Victory
6 banners
If Henry is killed the game immediately ends in a victory for the Yorkists (Standard camp). If Richard is killed the
game immediately ends in a victory for the Lancastrians (Pennant camp).
Special Rules
Both of the streams are fordable.
Henry Tudor
Earl of Richmond
All bow units are Longbow units.
Medieval Lore rules are in effect.
Victory Conditions
X 6
6
WAR COUNCIL Level 0
Leadership rules (see historical background) apply to the units labeled Henry, Richard III, Northumberland,
Norfolk, and both Stanleys. Use a suitable marker to indicate units with leaders.
There is 1 Yorkist artillery unit - see historical background for Artillery rules.
THE STANLEY BROTHERS AND NORTHUMBERLAND
When the Lancastrian player attempts to order any unit under the command of either of the Stanley brothers, and
when the Pennant player attempts to order any unit under the command of Northumberland (all units marked),
Richard
Plantagenet
King of England
both players roll dice to see how the nobles will react.
The number of dice rolled depends on the noble:
T. Stanley: Lancastrians 3 dice, Yorkists 1 dice.
W. Stanley: Lancastrians 6 dice, Yorkists 2 dice.
Northumberland: Lancastrians 1 die, Yorkists 1 die.
Victory Conditions
X 5
6
WAR COUNCIL Level 0
If either Henry or Richard III are adjacent to the relevant noble at the time of the roll, that player rolls 1 extra die.
Also, prior to the roll, both players may add 1 die to their roll for every 2 Lore they pay - this is done simultaneously
by both players taking Lore into their hand and revealing at the same time.
If both players roll the same number of red helmets then none of the units belonging to that noble may be ordered
that turn. The card may instead be used to order other units in the same section. If one player rolls more red helmets
than the other, then the relevant noble and all of his attached troops declare for that player, and become a normal
part of that player's army until the end of the battle (i.e. there are no more rolls needed to order that noble). It is
possible that Pennant banner units may switch sides to Standard, and vice-versa. None of these units may be
attacked until they are fully activated by a dice roll as above.