During the battle Northumberland remained inactive in the rear indicating to Richard that he had been betrayed reducing his amount of support. This also indicated to Richard’s men that their leader was weak and was loosing support for the battle. The main reason for the betrayal of Northumberland was due to his bitterness towards Richard over loss of power. Northumberland had power in the north and had had his power and title restored by King Edward IV but not all his land. King Richard III was also powerful in the North being a Yorkist and he continued to withhold Northumberland’s land. By supporting Henry Northumberland hoped to regain his land restoring his power in the north.
Overall the combination of Northumberland’s betrayal and Stanley’s crucial intervention of the battle allowed Henry to win the throne. Without the loosing support of Richard due to the betrayal of the Stanley’s and Northumberland, Henry would not have had as many troops on his side reducing Richard’s forces.
However the view offered is perhaps too simplistic. While both the Stanley’s and Northumberland contributed to Henry succeeding, there are also many other reasons that should be considered.
Perhaps the most important reason was that Richard III was so unpopular. Richard was greatly disliked by the populace of England and therefore the people wanted him off the throne. The suspicious disappearances of the two sons of King Edward IV ‘the princes in the tower’ created great concern by the people and did not help his reputation. Neither prince was ever seen again once Richard had usurped the throne and it was thought that they were deliberately disposed of so Richard could be King. Many people were also dissatisfied with Richard’s actions and believed that he ‘governed against the interests of the political nation’. This caused people to look to other potential candidates. As Richard lost support Henry gained. If Richard had been a popular King and well liked by his Nation then they would not have looked towards others such as Henry. As Henry was the last descendant of the house of Lancaster he was the last Lancastrian claimant. This was due to the death of Edwards’s only child whom was supposedly murdered by Richard in order for him to usurp the throne. This made Henry’s claim to the throne stronger and allowed the people to support a contender who would be a new and better King and who was entitled to the crown as much as Richard.
Another factor that helped Henry to become King was Richard’s bad tactical decision before the Battle of Bosworth. From France Henry landed in Wales on 7 August and was able to gather support on his way to the battle. Due to Henry’s heritage he was able to uphold his roots and gather welsh support and more men as he made his way towards Market Bosworth in Leicestershire. By 12 August Henry had persuaded Rhys ap Thomas, the most influential landowner in South Wales with the promise of the Lieutenancy of Wales should Richard be defeated. Henry continued to gather support from the Welsh and he received money from the Stanleys. Richard had underestimated Henry and did not act immediately as he assumed Rhys ap Thomas or the Stanleys in the North would overpower Henry. When he realised his mistake he moved his own troops to Leicester, but by this point Henry had gained a lot of support and it would prove difficult for Richard than if he had confronted Henry in Wales.
Henry was able to win the battle more easily as Richard threw himself into the fighting when he should have kept himself alive. This evidence suggests that Richard himself knew that victory was hopeless due to the betrayal of the Stanley’s and Northumberland and his lack of popularity with his subjects. Despite Richard having the greater army it was Henry who triumphed and won the battle. By Henry having greater support he was able to portray Richard as a weak monarch who was no longer worthy of the throne.
Without the help of King Charles II of France Henry would never have had considered invading England. Charles decided to back the Lancastrian pretender and provided Henry with financial assistance needed for the invasion in hope that it would distract Richard III and provide an alliance with England when Henry became King. Charles provided money, a fleet and a small army of mercenaries. Charles’ help allowed Henry to invade England in the first place and have the financial means and small army to gather support.
While Henry was in exile in France, those dissatisfied with Richard III actions began to plot to replace him with Henry Tudor. By usurping the throne and denying the succession of his nephew, Edward V, Richard had laid himself open to a challenge. Margaret Beaufort, Henry’s mother, and Edward IV’s widow Elizabeth Woodville wanted Richard off the throne. They planned for Henry to marry Elizabeth’s daughter Elizabeth of York. This would unite the two houses and help him attract both Lancastrian and Yorkist support. The betrayal of Elizabeth Woodville, a Yorkist, in helping Henry, a Lancastrian, just shows how much Richard was disliked. One reason for Elizabeth Woodville’s support was perhaps due to her personal hatred for Richard over the suspicious disappearance of her two only sons in order for Richard to usurp the throne. In 1483 on Christmas Day Henry solemnly swore that if he were to win the throne that was rightfully his from Richard the III he would make Elizabeth of York, the major Yorkist heiress his queen. Henry hoped that this pledge would not only consolidate his support but also win others over to his side as Elizabeth of York was from a very powerful family. By uniting the houses this brought the promise of stability to the people and the nobles making Henry very popular.
Overall Henry won his throne due to Richard III weaknesses and own usurpation of the throne. As Richard was so unpopular and many people were not happy with his ruling this provided Henry the opportunity to be a rival to the throne. Without the loosing support of Richard, Henry would not have had so many people on his side. People wanted a stronger monarchy and felt that Henry was a better person to take the crown. Without the betrayal of Elizabeth Woodville and the loyalty of his mother, Margaret Beaufort, Henry would not have had many supporters when he returned from exile. This also secured his marriage with Elizabeth of York uniting the two houses offering strength and stability within the country. Henry also gained the support of the French army and the Welsh, which helped him win in the battle of Bosworth as he had a strong force. However without the help of the Thomas Stanley, William Stanley and Northumberland Henry would not have been victorious in the Battle of Bosworth. Without their betrayal to Richard, Henry would not have many men and survived, as William Stanley saved his life by killing Richard. Consequently from having the help of the Stanley’s and Northumberland Henry was able to win the battle but that factor alone did not solely win Henry the throne.
