A Weekend in 1485

This past weekend I attended the Bosworth Medieval Festival, the annual commemorative event marking the Battle of Bosworth which was fought between Henry Tudor and Richard III in 1485.

I have been coming to BosFest for a decade now, the odd year exempt, and it is the highlight of my calendar. Every year, hundreds of re-enactors recreate the medieval world for our entertainment, bringing history to life in a way, dare I say, us authors can find difficult. We can describe, whilst they can show.

I love BosFest. I love giving talks to an engaged audience, meeting friends old and new, sharing ideas with a range of other historians, tour guides, battlefield experts, reenactors, and just exchanging our shared knowledge. Every year, wandering around the fields brings great joy to the people of all ages - the medieval market has plenty of fascinating stuff to spend your money on, there are jousting and falconry demonstrations, a medieval fashion show, a knight school, food and drink stalls, a real ale and cider tent, and so much more.

This year I gave a talk on my new book Son of Prophecy, before a brief debate with Nicola Tallis, Matthew Lewis and Philippa Langley. I chatted with my friends, Battlefields expert Julian Humphrys, and two thirds of the excellent History After Dark team, Catherine Ibbotson and Philippa Lacey Brewell. I learned more about weapons from reenactors like Allan Harley and Ian Brandt of the Beaufort Companye team, shared banter with Steve Morris and Simon John who played Henry VII and Richard III respectively, sampled some lovely beers in the amusingly named The Stagger Inn (geddit?) and watched impressed as Tom Goodwin demonstrated how one can do pushups in well-fitted armour – no, really.

Here are some pictures from the day - unfortunately for you Ricardians, Richard III ends the day dead, once more, and a Tudor is crowned. Roll on BosFest 2025, the 540th anniversary event.

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Talking Tudors Podcast

In the meantime, I have recently done an interview with the excellent Natalie Grueninger, discussing my new book and more. You can listen to that on the Talking Tudors YouTube channel or wherever you Podcast – search Talking Tudors.