The seventeenth annual Society of Ancients Battle Day
Saturday 15th August 2021
Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury RG14 2DR

Bosworth Field 1485 AD

While the battle thus raged between the front lines in both sectors, Richard learnt, first from spies, that Henry was some way off with a few armed men as his retinue, and then, as the latter drew nearer, recognised him more certainly from his standards. Inflamed with anger, he spurred his horse, and road against him from the other side, beyond the battle line. Henry saw Richard come upon him, and since all hope of safety lay in arms, he eagerly offered himself for this contest. In the first charge Richard killed several men; toppled Henry’s standard, along with the standard-bearer William Brandon; contended with John Cheney, a man of surpassing bravery, who stood in his way, and thrust him to the ground with great force; and made a path for himself through the press of steel.

Richard III makes his last, desperate and ultimately fatal bid to end the challenge of Henry Tudor.

From the account by Polydore Vergil composed c. 1503-13, translated by the Richard III Society (American Branch) with the assistance of Dr R Develin, and found online at http://www.r3.org/richard-iii/the-battle-of-bosworth/bosworth-contemporary-tudor-accounts/

For our seventeenth annual Battle Day, we once again invite you to a unique day’s wargaming.

The battle: Bosworth Field 1485 AD – the decisive (though actually not the final) battle of the Wars of the Roses that pits the rightful Yorkist King Richard III against the challenging and ultimately successful usurper Henry Tudor.

The aims of the day remain the same as ever:

• To have fun!
• To gather as many ancient and medieval wargamers as possible to refight a historical battle.
• To fight the same battle simultaneously on many tables, using a different set of rules on each table.

The day will run from 9am until 5pm, with an hour either side to set up and pack away.

We will have the usual pre-battle introduction to Bosworth, this year given by former Society President Phil Steele, putting it in its historical context and highlighting the controversial aspects – in particular with regard to site of the battle.

And of course, The Society of Ancients will be awarding a number of prizes (for various criteria, some more spurious and frivolous than others) to the wargamers on the day, including prizes for Best Game and Best Terrain.

To offer to stage a game – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or else via his details in Slingshot. But in any case, come along and take part as a player – most if not all of the games have room to take extra players and we have always managed to place people with a game. Of course, some like to attend just as a spectator and that too is fine.

The cost of attending the Battle Day, to contribute towards hire of venue and tables, will once again be held at £10 (juniors and students free). Ideally we will collect your cash on the day, but cheques can be accepted too.

Don’t miss out – come and be part of it!

The Battle Day is open to both members and non-members of the Society of Ancients.

UPDATE:

With Covid Restrictions due to be lifted in late June 2021, Battleday 2021 (Bosworth) has now been rescheduled to take place on Sunday 15 th August 2021 in Newbury. The venue is Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury RG14 2DR.  The venue, which has a café, will be open at 9am and the event will run until 4pm. The attendance fee will be £10.
Those wishing to attend should now register with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Since the number of tables is limited, probably 8-10, boards will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. So get your request for a table in quickly. Those without a game will have the opportunity of participating in one of the games being run.

Now Available:

The Bosworth Field battle pack

A suggested map of the battlefield