A battle of the greatest severity now ensuing between the two sides, the earl of Richmond, together with his knights, made straight for King Richard, while the earl of Oxford, who was next in rank to him in the whole army and a most valiant soldier, drew up his forces, consisting of a large body of French and English troops, opposite the wing in which the duke of Norfolk had taken up his position. In the part where the earl of Northumberland was posted, with a large and well-provided body of troops, there was no opposition made, as not a blow was given or received during the battle. At length a glorious victory was granted by heaven to the said earl of Richmond, now sole King, together with the crown, of exceeding value, which King Richard had previously worn on his head. For while fighting and not in the act of flight, the said King Richard was pierced with numerous deadly wounds, and fell in the field like a brave and most valiant prince; upon which, the duke of Norfolk before mentioned, Sir Richard Ratclyffe, Sir Robert Brackenbury, keeper of the Tower of London, John Kendall, secretary, Sir Robert Percy, controller of the King's household, and Walter Devereux, lord Ferrers, as well as many others, chiefly from the north, in whom King Richard put the greatest confidence, took to flight without engaging; and there was left no part of the opposing army of sufficient importance or ability for the glorious conqueror Henry the Seventh to engage, and so add to his experience in battle. Through this battle peace was obtained for the entire kingdom, the body of the said King Richard being found among the dead. Many insults were also heaped upon it, and, not exactly in accordance with the laws of humanity, a halter being thrown round the neck, it was carried to Leicester; while the new King also proceeded to that place, graced with the crown which he had so gloriously won. While these events were taking place, many nobles and others were taken prisoners; and in especial, Henry, Earl of Northumberland, and Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey.... There was also taken prisoner William Catesby, who occupied a distinguished place among all the advisers of the late King, and whose head was cut off at Leicester as a last reward for his excellent offices. Two gentlemen, also, of the western parts of the kingdom, father and son, known by the name of Brecher ... were hanged. As it was never heard, nor yet stated in writing or by word of mouth, that any other persons, after the termination of the warfare, were visited with similar punishments, but that, on the contrary, the new prince had shown clemency to all, he began to receive the praises of all, as though he had been an angel sent down from heaven, through whom God had deigned to visit His people, and to deliver it from the evils with which it had hitherto, beyond measure, been afflicted. THE LAST OF THE PLANTAGENETS (1485). =Source.=--_Bosworth Field_, in Percy Folio MS., iii. 256, 257. (1868.)