The principal commanders on Henry’s part were, the Earl of Pembroke, {166g} the Earl of Oxford, {166h} Sir William Brandon, {167a} who was Henry’s standard-bearer; Sir Gilbert Talbot, {167b} of Grafton in Worcestershire; Sir John Savage, {167c} Sir John Byron, {167d} and, at an opportune time after the battle had commenced, Lord Stanley. {167e} The only person of note of Henry’s army who was slain in the battle was Sir William Brandon, his standard-bearer; and historians inform us, that he was slain by Richard with his own hand. Richard made a courageous and intrepid charge {168a} and attempt, with some of his forces, to cut his way to Henry, and to terminate the battle by despatching him; and in his charge slew Sir William Brandon, and unhorsed Sir John Cheney. Richard’s daring enterprise at first seemed likely to be attended with success, but was frustrated by Sir William Stanley, {168b} who then declared for Henry, and threw the weight of 3000 fresh soldiers into the scale of the latter, and attacked Richard’s right flank. This appears to have been the important period of the battle alluded to by Shakespeare:— _Catesby_.—“Rescue my Lord of Norfolk! Rescue! Rescue! The king enacts more wonders than a man, Daring an opposite to every danger; His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death. Rescue, fair Lord, or else the day is lost!” SHAKESPEARE’S _Richard III._, act v., scene 4. (_Bosworth Field_.) It was at a critical moment that Sir William Stanley declared for Henry, because, if he had deferred his aid a very short time longer, he might have deferred it for ever; for fortune seemed at that moment to be propitious to Richard’s enterprise and invincible courage; and Henry was in the utmost danger, and it was probable that he must either have perished or fled. The consequence of Sir William Stanley’s opportune and most valuable assistance was, that Richard and most of the noblemen, knights, and soldiers, who accompanied him in the charge, were surrounded by superior numbers and slain, and Henry obtained the victory. {169a}