Synopses & Reviews
On August 22, 1485, at Bosworth Field, Richard III fell, the Wars of the Roses ended, and the Tudor dynasty began. The clash is so significant because it marks the break between medieval and modern; yet how much do we really know about this historical landmark? Michael Jones uses archival discoveries to show that Richard III's defeat was by no means inevitable and was achieved only through extraordinary chance. He relocates the battle away from the site recognized for more than 500 years. With startling detail of Henry Tudor's reliance on French mercenaries, plus a new account of the battle itself, the author turns Shakespeare on its head, painting an entirely fresh picture of the dramatic life and death of Richard III, England's most infamous monarch.
Review
"An exciting reinterpretation that transforms our understanding of what happened on that fateful day." A. J. Pollard, PhD, author of 'The Wars of the Roses'
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"Most exciting. A remarkable tale. Extraordinary." The Guardian
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"An insightful and rich study of the Battle of Bosworth. No longer need Richard play the villain." Times Literary Supplement
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"An entirely new analysis of Bosworth. A lively read." BBC History Magazine
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"An admirable, revisionist update on a widely misunderstood king." Kirkus Reviews
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"A brilliant rethinking of Richard III, whose reign ended at the bloody Battle of Bosworth, the decisive fight in the Wars of the Roses. Anyone interested in military history will appreciate this vivid and well-written reconsideration of a major military encounter, while those with an interest in the English monarchy will value this new light cast on a notably dim figure." Library Journal (starred review)
Review
"British historian Jones draws on the discovery of King Richard III's bones and other archeological finds to provide new information on the Bosworth site in this update to his study of the battle that ended the Plantagenet dynasty in England. The result is a classic example of psycho-history." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Jones' account of the battle and the major figures involved is sober, sometimes provocative, taking full advantage of the recent archeological revelations, including the discovery of the remains of Richard III. He recounts the actual battle in easily understood terms for laymen and offers unusual insights into the role of foreign fighters. A well-done reexamination of the conflict that truly altered the course of history." Booklist
Synopsis
A lively and authoritative reinterpretation of the Battle of Bosworth Field, where the Wars of the Roses ended and the Tudor dynasty began.
Synopsis
Michael Jones uses archival discoveries to show that Richard III's defeat was by no means inevitable and was achieved only through extraordinary chance. He relocates the battle away from the site recognized for more than 500 years. With startling detail of Henry Tudor's reliance on French mercenaries, plus a new account of the battle itself, the author turns Shakespeare on its head, painting an entirely fresh picture of the dramatic life and death of Richard III, England's most infamous monarch
Synopsis
A lively and authoritative reinterpretation of the Battle of Bosworth Field, where the Wars of the Roses ended and the Tudor dynasty began.
On August 22, 1485, at Bosworth Field, Richard III fell, the Wars of the Roses ended, and the Tudor dynasty began. The clash is so significant because it marks the break between medieval and modern; yet how much do we really know about this historical landmark? Michael Jones uses archival discoveries to show that Richard III's defeat was by no means inevitable and was achieved only through extraordinary chance. He relocates the battle away from the site recognized for more than 500 years. With startling detail of Henry Tudor's reliance on French mercenaries, plus a new account of the battle itself, the author turns Shakespeare on its head, painting an entirely fresh picture of the dramatic life and death of Richard III, England's most infamous monarch.
About the Author
Michael K. Jones, PhD, is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the British Commission for Military History, and works now as a writer and media consultant. He has written books on the battles of Agincourt, Stalingrad, and Leningrad, and most recently The King's Grave: The Search for Richard III and The Retreat: Hitler's First Defeat. For the last few years has conducted battlefield tours of the Eastern Front. He lives in England.