As Bosworth was such an important battle, it is surprising to many people that no-one really knows where it was fought.
Only a handful of Medieval and Tudor records of the Battle survive. They give conflicting views, including the numbers of soldiers involved, the positions and actions of the Commanders, the number of people who died, and the location of the Battle.
The names Redemoor and Sandeford are both used in early descriptions of the Battle, but we do not know for certain, the location of either of them.
Some documents that were written about the Battle have been destroyed and others may still lie unread in unknown collections.
To find a lost Battle a wide range of expertise is needed. After reviewing the previous theories and determining their likelihood, fresh research is required. Detailed study of the current and Medieval landscapes, geographical references in surviving Medieval and Tudor manuscripts and military tactics of the period, would be expected to reveal likely locations for the Battle.
Once likely sites for the Battle have been placed within the reconstructed Medieval landscape, a systematic metal detecting survey is undertaken to locate artefacts lost in the Battle. If a concentration of Battle artefacts is recovered, geophysical survey and exploratory trenches can be used to locate evidence of grave pits nearby.
Due to the conflicting and fragmentary evidence, Bosworth is a very complicated and difficult Battle to reconstruct. It is possible that none of these theories are correct.
In 1974 Danny Williams created the interpretation of the battle on which the Battlefield Centre and Trail were based until 2007. Williams' theory was a development of the research of Hutton and Nichols from the late 18th century.
Williams placed Richard’s army on the western slopes of Ambion Hill and the marsh on the southern slopes. He described Henry approaching from Whitemoors, and the Stanley forces to the north at Near Coton.
This would put the final clash between Henry, Richard and William Stanley due west of Ambion Hill, towards Shenton. Sandeford, the place where Richard died, would be in this area too.
In 1985 Peter Foss introduced an alternative theory. He attempted to place the geographical and military details from the contemporary sources within the landscape evidence.
Foss put the action within the area of low lying ground between Ambion, Dadlington, Stoke Golding, Upton and Shenton. He suggested this area as Redesmore – the earliest recorded name for the site of the Battle.
Foss argued that the Battle took place within Dadlington township, as the dead were said to be buried there. He placed Richard’s Army on a ridge to the south west of Ambion Hill, Oxford moving north off Fenn Lane, leaving Henry on the road, and the Stanley’s at Stoke Golding and Dadlington. This placed the final action on the Fenn Lane, north of Stoke Golding.
Michael K Jones believes that Henry camped at Merevale before the Battle. The Crowland Chronicle refers to the Battle as being near Merevale and Henry VII gave compensation to Mancetter, Witherley, Atterton and Fenny Drayton for damage to crops ‘at our late victorious field’.
He thinks that names such as King Dick’s Hole, Royal Meadow and Kingshall may place Richard’s camp in between Merevale and Ratcliffe Culey. This would put the Battle in the area south and east of Ratcliffe Culey. Jones, however, does not try to place the armies specificaly within the modern landscape.
There are several local traditions that Richard stayed the night at Sheepy Magna on his way to the Battle. They have a King Dick’s Well, a King Richard’s Bed and even had a King Richard’s Shield.
Metal detecting at Towton Battlefield, has revealed bronze belt fittings, buttons, fragments of weapons, armour and horse harnesses. Over 200 iron arrowheads have also been recovered.
Soil analysis in the area has shown that bronze battle artefacts should survive well here, but the iron arrowheads may not. Objects from the time of the Battle have been found scattered across the landscape, but we cannot say specifically whether they are military and there is no major concentration, suggesting the actual site of the Battle.
Human remains may be found in battlefield grave pits. Skeletons from Towton revealed evidence of the age and build of the soldiers as well as their battle injuries.
The landscape around Bosworth was very different in 1485. There were fewer hedgerows and trees, arable land was ploughed in strips and there was a marshy area.
Finding the marsh is the key to finding the Battle of Bosworth, as much of the action took place next to it.
To find the marsh, soil samples are taken in cores, which show the layers laid down through time. Marshland often lays down a layer of peat, which would show up in the cores. Marshland has very specific plants and animals living in it, and microscopic analysis by specialists may find these in the soil cores.
We need to date our finds to see if they relate to the Battle. Depending on what they are made from, this can be done in several ways.
Relative dating
Artefacts found by metal detecting and pottery sherds, can often be dated by comparing them with objects found on other, closely dated sites.
Radiocarbon dating
This measures the decay of the radioactive isotope carbon 14, which is present in all living matter. This has been used for dating peat layers in the search for the marsh and will be used if human or horse remains are found.
Dendrochronology
This dates wood by comparing the pattern of growth rings against a master record. This method can only be used with large pieces of wood and will probably not be used to find the battle.
Modern metal detectors are very effective. Most machines can see 30cm into ploughed soil and can distinguish between different metals.
If the ground is very dry or very hard, it is more difficult to find objects.
Small or thin objects are harder to find than large ones.
To locate a battlefield, metal detecting needs to be done slowly and carefully. It is also important to work systematically, recording the location of all the finds, and to make accurate maps.
The study of human remains can often tell us the age, height and the lifestyles of long dead individuals. Sometimes evidence of illnesses suffered and the manner of death can be seen.
Skeletons found in grave pits at the Battlefield at Towton (fought in 1461) showed us that these soldiers were between 5’3” (159cm) and 6’0” (184cm) tall. Some of them were as old as 50. The marks of their fatal injuries were very obvious. The Bosworth Battlefield survey might find similar grave pits.
Experts are used by Police Forces around the world to identify unknown victims and identify how they died.
