Welsh Journals

WALES AND BOSWORTH FIELD- SELECTIVE HISTORIOGRAPHY? 'A Welsh gentleman named Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, was able to put up a very respectable case for himself on the Lancastrian side. After the custom of opposition leaders in those brisk times, he had sought refuge abroad, first in the Court of Brittany, then in France He landed with a slender and untrustworthy force, at Milford Haven, on the coast of his native Wales. The racial enthusiasm of the Welsh for a descendant of their ancient British Princes, marching, as Henry was careful to march, under the red-dragon standard of Cadwallader, broke out into prophecy and song, and enabled him to raise in little more than a week a small army of zealous supporters. They, with the help of a few French and English adventurers, won Bosworth Field against a King for whom the mass of his English subjects were ashamed to fight.'1 The above quotation from Trevelyan is considered expedient, and even imperative, in case the attitude taken in this article might be considered as being unfairly biased in favour of the weight and significance of the Welsh contribution to Henry Tudor's cause. It was comforting to have the reassurance and support of Trevelyan's immense authority to confirm the views expressed in my analysis of Robin Ddu's Prophecy and the circumstances surrounding it, which is being published elsewhere. My initial interest in the subject of 'Wales and Bosworth Field' was aroused fortuitously whilst exploring an entirely different subject. Once the new trail was found, further exploration became obligatory, although such deviation from the original purpose meant a considerable sacrifice of time. It is more appropriate and convenient to publish separately the results of the parallel studies. It was at the end of August 1977, that the opportunity came to visit Ambion Hill arising from Redmoor Plain, and traverse the adjoining countryside where the battle of Bosworth Field was fought on 22 August 1485. It was a moving experience to walk over the whole area, and to study the remarkably effective diorama model of the battle itself at the Battlefield Centre at Ambion Hill Farm. The Authority, whose initiative and support was responsible for the project, has successfully executed a most imaginative and ambitious scheme. The maps are illuminating, the diagrams are well produced and the pathways are easily followed.3 The well where Richard quenched his thirst during the battle is still So, surely then You shall discern a grave, prophetic Prince Beneath the dragon-standard and the sun, Marching with men who yearned and waited since Llewelyn died and Glyndwr's dream was done To make a kinsman King. And, lo! they came Hot-blooded in the faith A. G. Prys Jones G. M. Trevelyan.