Monday, August 22, 2011

Battle of Bosworth Field


                                                         Tudor propaganda?

The pivotal battle between the House of Lancaster/Tudors and the House of York/Plantagenets was fought on this date in 1485 AD.   Henry Tudor and his supporters were victorious, defeating the Plantagenets led by Richard III.  Henry is glowingly portrayed in the famous drama depicting the battle, Shakespeare's "Tragedy of Richard III."  It is difficult to share Shakespeare's enthusiasm for the Tudors, in view of the disasters that would befall the Church in England under that dynasty.  Perhaps the Plantagenets would have been as bad for the Church, though it is hard to imagine they would have worse.  

Clearly, these people are convinced Richard III deserved better from Shakespeare.  Every year on this date, they pay for a notice in the New York Times like this one:

PLANTAGENET-Richard III, King of England, misrepresented and maligned by history, maliciously killed by treason on 22 August 1485. He appealed to the ideals of loyalty, lordship and honor. He knew how to command, how to reward, but most of all, he knew how to inspire. Lovingly remembered by The International Patrons of the Richard III Foundation, Inc.,

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