BattlefieldsSuffolk Percy Muster and Northumberland Inaction at Bosworth 1485
Medieval

Suffolk Percy Muster and Northumberland Inaction at Bosworth 1485

1485
Leicestershire, England
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Leicestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Richard III at Bosworth
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Northumberland c.4000-6000
Outcome
Northumberland survived Bosworth by inaction; subsequently imprisoned briefly by Henry VII; his Percy northern retainers did not fight
The Battle

History & Significance

The Earl of Northumberland accompanied Richard III's army to Bosworth with a large northern contingent but deliberately held his forces back throughout the battle. His inaction — possibly treachery or possibly the result of Stanley blocking his advance — meant Richard's right flank was never reinforced when the Stanley betrayal struck. Northumberland's deliberate neutrality helped determine the battle's outcome.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Leicestershire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Leicestershire