The New Murrey and Blue blog

It’s a wonder anyone survived medieval battles….!

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The title above says it all. Go to this article and see what I mean. With such weapons being wielded on all sides, how on earth did anything—man or horse—emerge still standing? I don’t think we should be in any doubt at all that by going to battle, all men knew they were putting their lives at a very real risk indeed.

Unless, like Henry VII, they always skulked around at the back, well protected (Bosworth), or indeed arrived too late to take part anyway (Stoke Field or Blackheath). There was nothing brave about him.

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  1. Richard P. McArthur Avatar
    Richard P. McArthur

    In fairness, Henry was said to have acquited himself well at Bosworth, to the surprise of those who knew him. Apparently, he was not considered to be usually adept at personal combat.

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    1. halfwit3 6 Avatar
      halfwit3 6

      Stoky e and Blackheath were fought by appointment? They were scheduled for 9:30 and Henr showed up at 10:15? Very astute, not to mention lucky, in an ear without wrist watches.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Richard P. McArthur Avatar
        Richard P. McArthur

        Timing is everything. 🙂

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      2. viscountessw Avatar
        viscountessw

        No need for a wrist watch. He was in Nottingham, and Stoke Field wasn’t far away along the Trent. He simply left when his scouts told him battle had been joined. He didn’t hurry, either, just to be doubly sure. The man was a coward.

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    2. hoodedman1 Avatar
      hoodedman1

      One chronicler said this; the others , although Tudor-centric, were ominously silent. It is pretty feeble praise, considering.

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      1. Richard P. McArthur Avatar
        Richard P. McArthur

        Maybe “damning with faint praise”?

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  2. Glenis Brindley Avatar
    Glenis Brindley

    I’ve never read anywhere that Henry Vll fought in battle – Bosworth or anywhere else!

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    1. super blue Avatar
      super blue

      He has a very good record for hiding behind pike walls and having lookalikes in the field:
      https://murreyandblue.wordpress.com/2016/11/06/wheres-henry/

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    2. Richard P. McArthur Avatar
      Richard P. McArthur

      Look at it this way: at least Henry VII didn’t give anyone any heart attacks by taking risks.

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      1. viscountessw Avatar
        viscountessw

        I don’t think he won any admiration either.

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