BattlefieldsYorkist Attempt to Block Henry Tudor at Dale 1485
Medieval

Yorkist Attempt to Block Henry Tudor at Dale 1485

1485
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Also known as: Richard III defense of south Wales coast 1485 fails
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Richard III loyalists (failed to muster)
Forces
c. 500–1,000 failed Yorkist blocking force; skirmish.
VS
Victor
Henry Tudor
Forces
c. 1,000–2,000 Henry Tudor (Welsh)
Outcome
Richard Rickard ap Thomas and other Welsh Yorkist lords fail to intercept Henry at his landing; Henry lands unopposed
The Battle

History & Significance

Richard III had assigned Rhys ap Thomas the defence of south Wales and the coast, but ap Thomas switched allegiance to Henry Tudor. The failure of Richard III loyalists to intercept Henry at his Pembrokeshire landing was decisive. Richard received reports of the landing but his Welsh supporters were either absent, slow to respond, or actively switching sides. The ease of the landing at Dale demonstrated how thoroughly Richard had lost Wales.

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