Sunday, September 26, 2010

Part 3

My Ballad of Richard III and Bosworth field:


Richard III I am, Finally rightfully king of this land.
I have taken care of the others that stood in my way,
including my two little nephews[1] who would have done nothing but play. [2]

This kingdom is mine to defend, 
However others want this crown.
The Battle of Bosworth Field did commence,[3]
and upon Henry, the intruder, I do frown. 

The Yorkists against the Lancastrians,
Either side knows we cannot be friends.
Henry wants this crown that I have worked to achieve
But he will receive no sympathy from me. 


English are being killed left and right,
One of us must lose this fight.
But not I, Richard III- It will not be me.
From a battle will I never flee.


But what if it is me?
I have worked so hard to earn this crown.
At least I know, that if I go down[4]
It will be as king, known all around.


Twas true, It was I
That was killed this day.
I could have done so much!
But now I have no say.


I have died and left my poor kingdom.
They are now at the mercy of the wretched Tudors.
Murderers are they!
Who left me here on this bloody field to lay.


But alas, what good do grudges serve now?
I lay here on this cursed ground.
No way to stop what is to come-
But hopefully some good I have done.


People will remember this treacherous day
 That England has transfered into a new age.
The age of Henry Tudor, who i pray
Will lead my kingdom into fame.



[1] Wars of the Roses: York and Lancaster Family Tree.

[2] Blomefield, Francis. (1806). 
The city of Norwich, chapter 22: Of the city in Richard III's time.
An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: volume 3: The History of the City and County of Norwich, part I (1806), pp. 172-173. 

[3] Anonymous. The Ballad of Bosworth Fielde.
Sixteenth-century poem, thought to be written by an eye-witness to the battle, with exhaustive list of Richard III's supporters. 
http://www.r3.org/bosworth/ballad2.html


[4] Anonymous. The Ballad of Bosworth Fielde.
Sixteenth-century poem, thought to be written by an eye-witness to the battle, with exhaustive list of Richard III's supporters. 
[5]  Blomefield, Francis. (1806). 
The city of Norwich, chapter 22: Of the city in Richard III's time.
An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: volume 3: The History of the City and County of Norwich, part I (1806), pp. 172-173. 




My Ballad of Henry Tudor and Bosworth Field:


Henry Tudor, that is I 
and I have made a claim. 
I deserve the crown of England, 
so that is what I have sayed. 


Richard III scoffs at me,  
and tells me that I lie. 
But how could I lie? I am rightwise king [1]
and I am justified. 


To win this country that is rightfully mine,
I march into Battle- The Battle of Bosworth field. 
And i believe this time
All shall see Richard's blood on this sword that I wield. 


Alas, it has happened. 
I am victorious. 
King Richard III have I slain [2]
and Lancastrians rise in triumph. 



I did know that I should win this war.
What other way could it have been? 
Any man to fight against me would be guilty
of  treason to me. 


To see the blood of many noble men
pains me inside. [3]
Although I may not have known them
I know that for their country, their hearts filled with pride. 


I reminisce on this glorious day, 
That not long ago, I came to through Wales. 
Richard was King, but not for long, 
I challenged him, and he was in the wrong. [4]


Now I must carry on this noble bloodline 
That my name bears. 
Tudor is a wonderful name
That will carry through the years. 


The way to create this lasting story
is to be married in glory
to Elizabeth, the lovely girl [5]
who will forever help me rule. 




[1] Anonymous. The Ballad of Bosworth Fielde.
Sixteenth-century poem, thought to be written by an eye-witness to the battle, with exhaustive list of Richard III's supporters. 
[2]Noorthouck, John. (1773). 
Book 1, Ch. 7: Henry VII and Henry VIII
A New History of London: Including Westminster and Southwark (1773)
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=46724&strquery=Battle%20of%20Bosworth#s2


[3] Anonymous. (1509).  The Obituary of King Henry VII. 
http://englishhistory.net/tudor/hobit.html

[4] Anonymous. The Ballad of Bosworth Fielde.
Sixteenth-century poem, thought to be written by an eye-witness to the battle, with exhaustive list of Richard III's supporters. 


[5] Anonymous. The Death of Elizabeth of York and the betrothal of Princes Margaret to the King of the Scots. 
http://englishhistory.net/tudor/elizdeat.html
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