Wars of The Roses

Due to popular demand! John has decided to return to the Monday News updates, as it is also the easiest way to keep everyone informed of new developments and future plans.

Coming hopefully later this year, some new additions to the Wars of The Roses series.

The Battle of Bosworth was the last significant battle of the Wars of The Roses, the civil war between the houses of Lancaster and York that extended across England in the latter half of the 15th Century

The images shown are Prototype images of the sculpted work, prior to master painting.

We hope you enjoy!

Mike & Myszka and all at the Sierra Toy Soldier Company

Battle of Bosworth

The Battle of Bosworth was the last significant battle of the Wars of The Roses, the civil war between the houses of Lancaster and York that extended across England in the latter half of the 15th Century

Along with the previously previewed casualty figures are 3 new Retinue figures which will represent Sir Thomas Howard, of Ashwellthorpe, Earl of Surrey, and his banners.

Sir Thomas Howard (1443 - 1524) was the eldest son of Sir John Howard, the 1st Duke of Norfolk, and will be an appropriate addition to the Yorkist battle. He was later to become the 2nd Duke of Norfolk, and was to become the grandfather of both Queen Anne Boleyn and Queen Catherine Howard, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I.

In 1513 he led the English army to victory over the Scots at the decisive Battle of Flodden, for which he was richly rewarded by King Henry VIII, who was at that time away in France.

There is also an extra mounted knight to join the Yorkist king Richard III, on his final charge.

Richard had seen Henry separated from his main force during the battle, and decided to end the fight quickly by killing the enemy commander. He led the charge of mounted knights into Henry's small group of men.

Oxford had left a small reserve of pike equipped mercenaries with Henry, which proved critical in slowing down the pace of the charging knights.

Although the initial charge had seen Richard kill Sir William Brandon, Henry's Standard bearer, the remainder of Henry's bodyguards and mercenary pikemen succeeded in delaying the Yorkist attack.

Seeing Richard embroiled with Henry's men, and separated from his main force, William Stanley made a decision to ride to the aid of Henry.

Now outnumbered, the Yorkist group was surrounded and gradually driven back, where "King Richard, alone, was killed fighting manfully in the thickest press of his enemies".

As news of Richards death spread, his force disintegrated, and the battle was over.

Three new mercenary pikemen will also be available later this year.