Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

Did you learn that rainbow mnemonic too?

And that battle took place in 1485 just ten miles from Kirby.

Just a few years ago, a badge was found in the shape of a boar [Richard’s emblem] and historians revised their original ideas about the location of the Battle of Bosworth Field – so it is a few miles away from the fancy Heritage Centre – but still very close by.

We went on Saturday morning with Steph and Mark and had an interesting time finding out about the battle, and how people lived in Mediaeval Times. Les Routiers De Rouen were holding a re-enactment, so we got to meet some fascinating characters. I always thought ‘routiers’ were French lorry drivers, but apparently that’s the old name for mercenaries!

This guy was a total fanatic and very proud to tell us all about his armour and weaponry.

The clothes were incredibly heavy, and under the metal armour men wore heavy quilted jackets as extra protection.

He delighted in explaining how one finished off the enemy, sticking daggers through the slits in their visors etc. Gruesome!

 

Next to him was a tent where a lady was displaying all the baked goods which would have been fed to the army.

I was rather concerned as the plate of tarts on the bench at the back appeared to be topped with cranberries. Surely, I said, cranberries are native to America, so the army at Bosworth would not have had them? I am not sure they were happy I said that!

This guy was a crossbow man, or was he a cross bowman?

I am not sure!

Their costumes were carefully made to be as authentic as possible.

There were some tents in another corner of the field and also an archery display.

Having spend ages with Les Routiers we went to look round the main part of the heritage centre, pausing briefly for Steph and Mark to pose in the stocks.

Inside there were excellent display panels, interactive sections, and informative videos.

 

We pulled levers, pressed buttons, watched videos and flipped boards to learn more about the battle and its place in our history.

 

The re-enactors were apparently Yorkists [the losing side] – but as Mark is a Lancastrian, we considered ourselves to be among the winners!

There was armour to dress up in.

We all had a go at the ‘pulling a longbow’ machine.

Mark won [just!] .

Edit – sorry, I’m informed that Bob and Steph scored the same as Mark. I came last [of course]

Here’s Richard III

Once a King, always a King…as they say!

Having seen all we could we then went into the coffee shop for a cuppa and shared Cornish Pasties.

I would definitely recommend the Battlefield Centre for a good family day out, especially warlike little boys. We encountered a Beaver Pack, and also a dozen children there to celebrate a Birthday Party [they had their own special talk from one of the soldiers, followed by party food and balloons in the cafe!] Website is here

 

One final comment – the correction on the display panel was already there when we arrived. None of us is responsible for changing less to fewer here!